Loading summary
Transcript323 lines
- [00:01]
Lexi
Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to Mario's Bistro.
- [00:05]
Nicole
The special tonight is the Beef Carpaccio. With the Venmo Debit card. You can turn the basketball game tickets your friends paid you back for into a romantic dinner that you can earn up to 5% cash back on. Use your Venmo balance to pay for the things you love to do. Visit Venmo Me Debit to learn more. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. pursuant to license by MasterCard International, Inc. Terms apply. Dosh Cashback terms apply. We're so done with New Year, New you. This year it's more you on Bumble. More of you shamelessly sending playlists, especially that one filled with show tunes. More of you finding Geminis because you.
- [00:42]
Lexi
Know you always like them.
- [00:44]
Nicole
More of you dating with intention because you know what you want. And you know what? We love that for you. Someone else will too be more you.
- [00:51]
Lexi
This year and find them on Bumblebee.
- [01:05]
Nicole
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Fantasy Fangirls Podcast where two sisters dive deep into beloved fantasy Lore, character themes, series and more.
- [01:15]
Lexi
I'm Lexi, older sister and Fantasy Lore nerd.
- [01:18]
Nicole
And I'm Nicole, younger sister and romantic at heart.
- [01:21]
Lexi
And Today is episode 8 of Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros where we're covering chapters 38 through 43. I really hope you're all ready for this extra jam packed episode. This might be our longest episode to date.
- [01:32]
Nicole
Who knows? It's definitely our longest episode of Onyx Storm. Full stop.
- [01:37]
Lexi
But before we begin, please listen closely to our spoiler warning. Every episode has spoilers for the entire Empyrean series including all of Onyx Storm, iron flame and fourth wing. Which means even though this episode eight focuses on chapters 38 through 43, we are and themes, lore, foreshadowing and more from the entire book.
- [01:56]
Nicole
Listen, this is the Irids episode. The episode where the Irids arrive. They are coming around this town. So if you have not read the entire book then we cannot stress this enough. Go finish Onyx Storm. I just spoiled a huge part for you. But we will be here when you're done.
- [02:14]
Lexi
Next, we of Fantasy Fangirls are adults who say adult things about adult books. In other words, friends, this podcast is.
- [02:19]
Nicole
Rated R. While the Zelna card game might have been PG Me defeated sweet girl and Darna while her heart breaks will not be. So please be mindful of those little listening ears.
- [02:31]
Lexi
Additionally, we are so excited to see you at upcoming live events. We will be featured guests at Enchanticon in St. Louis, Missouri August 15th through 17th.
- [02:40]
Nicole
Then we will be at the Everflame Ball along with Pen Cole for the first ever Kindred's Curse Saga Ball on August 30th in Castle Rock, Colorado. Then we will be back at the Dragon Gauntlet in Boyne City, Michigan September 12th through 13th.
- [02:54]
Lexi
Then Romanecy Bookcon in Orlando, Florida, Florida from October 23rd through 25th.
- [02:59]
Nicole
Check out our website for more information to all of these events as well as the links in the show notes.
- [03:03]
Lexi
Last thing before we jump into this onyx Storm episode 8. If you love Fantasy Fangirls and want more events, more content, more community and just so much more all around, please check out Fantasy Fan Club.
- [03:14]
Nicole
We have three membership tiers that you can join. First the Cadets which includes access to our Boppin Discord live Q&As from Lexi and I, a book club, exclusive author interviews, trivia, community events, promo codes for live events, plus 20 off all merch that is for $6 a month. Or you can join the Dragon Riders which includes everything from the cadet level plus early access to ad free episodes. Our full episode outlines like this monster of A one you're probably reading right now if you're a dragon rider. Plus you get special voting privileges that is for $10 a month. And then we have the Iron Squad which includes everything from the previous two tiers plus behind the scenes content at the time of us recording this. You got some wild behind the scenes from Lexi and I yesterday as we were outline. You also get a welcome gift, giveaways, private Discord channel, and your name shouted out on the show. That is for $25 a month.
- [04:09]
Lexi
Join the party at fantasy fangirls.com fan club. The link is also in the show notes. And really and truly friends, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us as we've turned this podcast into our livelihood. It's all because of you.
- [04:20]
Nicole
And now it is time to see what cards the God of Luck has drawn for us. Hopefully we don't get slapped.
- [04:27]
Lexi
To start off every episode, Nicole does us the honor of summarizing what happens in the stretch of chapters. So listen up because Battle Brief is in session for chapters 38 through 43 of Onyx Storm, starting with chapter 37 part two.
- [04:41]
Nicole
Welcome to Zelna here. They aren't screaming firebringers. No, these islanders are waving like they're members of Dunder Mifflin. In the Scranton commercial, someone told them that dragons kill people for funsies, right? Touching down something feels off though. This isle has magic. Chapter 37 magic is back, baby. Well, kind of. Not enough to channel or shield, but the bonds are back. And with it, increasing tensions fade away. For now. But enough about magic. Who's ready to play a game? The game is easy. Pick a card and you get a prize. I want to be on this game show. Who doesn't want a chance to win a bottle of wine, a super not broken compass, a rusty bucket, a new wardrobe, or even a kitty cat? Sounds fun, right? Trager? Alexa, play you Give love a Bad Name By Bon Jov Shot through the heart chapter 39 another isle. And still no sign of the Irids. After arry successfully secured 40,000 troops. Not too shabby. The riot makes plans to pack up and leave the Isle of Luck, flying literally anywhere else, but specifically to an uninhabited minor isle to give Trager and Scylla the funeral they deserve. But not before Zaden and Violet have a leadership heart to heart. Zaden reminds his defeated Boo that she is a brilliant fucking woman and she is worthy. Worthy of Terran. Worthy of commanding their Rio. Worthy of protecting their people. Worthy of sucking his dick. Not that one. Right now. Chapter 40 when dawn approaches, the riot takes flight. Flying all day until they finally find land. And would you look at that. There's more magic here. That can't possibly mean anything, right? But before the riot can even think about investigating, it's time to lay Siloraine and Trager Karras to rest. We commend their souls to Zinal. I mean, Malak. And we're right back into searching for the Irids. But first, where the fuck are we? It doesn't really matter because it's not on the map. I mean, Broccoli could have told you that one. What's the best way to search all the surrounding minor isles? Divide and conquer, of course. But don't worry, Violet. Garruk will take great care of your honey bear. Violet tries to relax for one moment when Taryn interrupts her nap time. Opening her eyes, it appears that no one is there. Wait, did the sand just move? They didn't find the Irids. The Irids found them. Hello, human. Chapter 41 Dragon Tails Dragon tails. Look at all those feather tails. The Irids are here and they agreed to help. Nope. That's just my wishful thinking. The errands are here and they're arrogant pricks. But buckle up, buttercups, because it's story time. Not so little. Andarna gives the six new dragons a tldr of everything that has happened from her time in her shell to threshing, to stopping time for Violet and why she needs her harness. And Darna is spilling all of the tea and it's just as animated as Olaf re encounting all of Frozen one. This is sure to win over the hearts of our new friends. Right? Right? Right? Wrong. Why? Because this was all a test and humanity failed. Chapter 42 why help the humans and dragons to save their people when you can sit back, relax and watch the venom suck all the magic out of the land? With nothing else to say, the Irids take their leave. But not before being the biggest asshats the world has ever seen. Determining Andarna is Irid in scale and name only. And then wishing them peace as if they didn't just condemn the whole continent to death. But wait, there's hope because Leothen stays behind to ask a few follow up questions. And perfect timing too, because Zaden and Garak are here to join this round of 20 questions. Welcome to the group chat. Do you think the Irids would believe it if they said that Zayden had a little too much churm this morning? Chapter 43 the rest of the riot returns shortly after the Irids leave, getting their own TL doctor from Riddick. But they're all fucked because while they found the seventh dragon den, they have nothing to show for it. Might as well sign their court martials now. Violet, seeing Riddick, does not want to wait any longer to talk about Xaden's insane pink eye, takes him on a little rendezvous into the woods. And on this episode of Riddick, Gamblin is left out of the loop again. Zaden is venon he channeled three times, and Garruk, Bodhi and Imogen all know as well. And that's what you missed on Glee. Together, Violet and Riddick come up with a plan to set a boundary for Violet if Zaden goes too far. But they run into Zaden on their way back to the crew and agree to Lupin, Rhea, Sawyer and Jessenia, but not Dane. He's still working on the whole rule breaking thing. Zaden blames himself for the Irids leaving and Darna, but Violet promises to see just how big a lightning strike he can make when he stops brooding. I wonder if a certain chair will survive that round. Over 10 days and a lot of travel math later, talons touch ground at the Gaieth and the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. But who's holding that knife? Daddy Atos. And that's not all he's holding. Theophany sent a missive and really proves she's Violet's number one stalker. However, Daddy Atos also has some other tea to share with our squad. Suniva has fallen to the dark wielders and Queen Mariah is dead. Dun dun dun.
- [09:36]
Lexi
Today's episode is sponsored by Paired. Have you ever wanted to take more time to connect with your partner? But the stresses and the to do lists of life have gotten in the way. I feel like we can all relate to that, right? Well, Paired has helped me and Jake take that step together. It's so easy to build connection with my partner into our daily routine with Paired.
- [09:52]
Nicole
Here's how it works. You and your partner both download the app you pair together, and every day Paired sends you personalized questions, quizzes and games to stay connected, deepen your conversation, and have a lot of fun too. The best part is that you can't see your partner's answers until you've answered yourself. So it's a safe space to have an open and honest conversation about your relationship. No faking it, no pretending. Instead, just genuine connection.
- [10:18]
Lexi
Jake and I are in what we call survival mode with two toddlers right now, and it can be so hard for us to just sit down and talk to each other and even have a conversation that's not about the kids or what needs to happen in the house or just about our days or work or, you know, just like I'll call it more of those surface level sorts of things. And Paired has really helped us dig deeper and connect with one another in such a pres. And it really helps us like just smile and feel like we're not just roommates, you know? And I love it so much how it's just such a simple little part of our routine, but it has such big benefits that we really look forward to every single day.
- [10:52]
Nicole
Whether you're just a few dates in or have been together a long, long time, find the time to connect with your partner and nourish your relationship. Start strengthening your relationship in an easy, fun way and it only takes five minutes a day. Head to paired.com FFG to get a seven day free trial and up to 25% off when you sign up for subscription. Head to p a I R-E-D.com ffg to sign up today.
- [11:18]
Lexi
All right writers, it is time to dawn our signet power and discuss key insights, character analysis, lore, foreshadowing theories, and oh so much more. Who's ready to go to Zelna, the Isle of Zinal, the God of luck. One of the first things our quest squad notices upon their arrival is the more vibrant colors of vegetation on this isle. They may not be as rich as on the continent, but there is definitely more color here than on the other three isles we've been to so far, which you know what that means. Zelna has traces of magic. Violet can feel a wave of energy rushing up her body. Taryn is breathing in the magic of the land. And the others can finally use their bonds to communicate with each other, which is, aw, just so wonderful. I love this moment so much. As the rest of the crew reconnect with their closest companions after two weeks of not being able to talk to one another through their magical bonds. While there is magic here to feel the power of the bonds with their griffins and dragons and the dragons with the other dragons, there still isn't enough magic to properly shield and definitely not enough to wield their signets. But hey, this also means that Violet and Zading have their bond back too. This conclusion that Zelna has magic brings up a really good question, though. Why and how does it have magic? It goes back to what Rebecca Yarros explained, that different tectonic plates push different mountain ranges up, which results in more magic in some areas. Violet notes that there are more rises in elevation on this isle, and when they travel to the minor isles and feel magic there too, guess what? There's volcanoes and cliffs around there. So we have to wonder, is the topography the only reason for magic or lack of magic? For instance, do the gods somehow play into whether there is magic or not?
- [12:54]
Nicole
I 100% think that this is influence, because Zinal is just pure chaos, and magic can absolutely add an element of chaos. So he's just like, let's stir the pot a little.
- [13:05]
Lexi
So this could also be an indication that they are getting closer to the Irid's hatching ground, because we know that hatching grounds can change and amplify the magic in the area's wide perimeter. Juri's still out for answers to these questions, though, because I kind of actually like the. I'll call it simplicity of world building, where some areas have more magic than others based on the landscape and civilizations in each area are somewhat influenced by the presence of magic or lack thereof. I want to give this isle's unique capital city a moment in the spotlight because it is so cool. Zoitras is at the base of an enormous curved waterfall with the river splitting around the city to make it appear like its own island. The city walls appear to rise from the Water itself. And the city seems like it's built skyward with buildings stacked on top of each other, defying any and all architectural logic. While I'm pretty sure this is just some really incredible architecture, I love how fitting it is that the God of Luck's isle has a city layout that seems like it shouldn't be possible. Almost as if the architecture is symbolically relying on luck, especially opposed to the rebuilding with intention we got from Hideoute.
- [14:10]
Nicole
Flying over Zelna, there is something very, very off because the people on the aisle below are waving Yoo hoo. As they get closer and arrive in the amphitheater, they see that there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of humans here. Well, those are not very good fighting odds, but the Zelni are watching with excitement. Previously our crew has been treated with prejudice, told to fight for their lives, and then literally were attempted to be murdered. So with this rather warm welcome, it's understandable why Quest Squad is pretty hesitant to trust anyone on this isle. With the exception of Trager, who mentions how this might just be his favorite isle. Oh God, the irony hurts so good.
- [14:56]
Lexi
Violet puts it perfectly how this is quote easily the oddest and potentially most dangerous arrival we faced yet. They know how to defend themselves against hostility, but this catches them off guard in a whole new way.
- [15:09]
Nicole
It is obvious to say that they were definitely expected by the Zelni. We will learn from Calixta, who is unafraid by the dragons. She just basically walks past them and the dragons are like the fuck. Except for Indarna, who she bows to when learning that she is an Irid. Zelna heard word of their travels and it reached them a few weeks ago. Yes, from Deverelli's warning to each isle that the Quest Quest Squad is a coming. Imagine being Loisome, just waiting, waiting and then waiting some more. But they never arrive. Like that's actually so funny. But ever since that warning, the Zelni have been doing some waiting of their own. People who have the time will come to the festival grounds and just basically rotate out as days go on. But given that today is the day they officially arrived, it looked like the NAL is with the spectators who were doing their waiting today. And even though some Zelni appear to be running away, it is not out of fear. They're much too smiley to be fleeing for their lives. No, they are off to spread the news that the travelers have finally arrived. The rest are quieting down and taking their seats in this massive amphitheater. While there are many colors that fill the Crowd Everyone in the front row who seem to be the officials of the game. Or as I'm going to call them, the game makers are dressed all in orange, the color of apricots. One thing is for sure, they are definitely gearing up for a show of some kind.
- [16:34]
Lexi
A show indeed. Or rather festivities, as Calixa will call them. Like the other isles, Zelna requires its newcomers to participate in a trial to gain an audience with its leadership. This isle is ruled by a queen who we don't actually meet or know her name. So how does the trial for the God of Luck work? I'm so glad you asked. Quick refresher from episode six archives on this very topic. The trial is made up of seeing what gets gifts Zanal has chosen for someone. So once the participants, AKA Quest Squad, agree to play a table, a single chair and a canvas bag are brought out. A deck of cards is taken from the bag and spread out face down on the table. Each card represents a gift. So the participants pull whatever gifts and all inspires them to choose. And that is their gift he sees fit to bestow upon them. Importantly, a thanks must be given after receiving the gift. Gift. If every member of Quest Squad accepts their gift without complaint and expresses gratitude for it, they pass the trial and may gain entrance to the city and an audience with its queen.
- [17:34]
Nicole
Understandably, this trial is not about the crowd watching the newcomers open presents. No, no. This is a test to see how much they will accept and allow the God of Luck to determine their fate. This is the ultimate test of releasing control. You and I would fail this.
- [17:49]
Lexi
I would be so bad at this. Like oh my gosh, the way that I would be trying to choose my card and be like oh no, oh no, oh no.
- [17:57]
Nicole
Not only with picking the card do they have to release control, but then accepting with thanks whatever card has been given to you, no matter what you get. And if you complain, that means you do not trust. So NAL slash luck are your ultimate compass. Haha. Get it? You must be able to adjust your next moves based on what so NAL has presented you with. And if you do complain, that means this aisle cannot ally themselves with you after all. Quote from Calixta we do not accept those who do not adjust their sails in a storm. I love that Zaden says no whining. I can respect that. Like of course you can. My guy. Remember back from the first year who under the tree back in fourth wing was like, I don't like it here. How do I leave? And Zane was like yeah, you're gonna die. Sorry. Accept it. Zayn doesn't really do well with whiners, so I understand why he's like, okay, I can do this. However, he is also not one to know how to release control easily either. I'm surprised he does as as well as he does here.
- [18:55]
Lexi
Arik once again proves he is the master of languages when he speaks this rather difficult dialect. Like he was born here. Once again proving just how educated he is to be a diplomat and how intelligent he is to be able to speak these other languages so well.
- [19:10]
Nicole
I love how this language is described as, like, lilting. And one word flows into the net. Like, I think of French, where it's like, the goal of French, at least this is how I was taught it, was to move your mouth as little as possible. It is like, how easily can you make one word. Word flow into the next? That is how French works. And this is at least, again, that is how I was taught it. Please, French people don't come after me. But like I imagine, this is exactly how the Zelna language is spoken.
- [19:35]
Lexi
Well, Aric certainly shows Dane up again. Poor Dane. Violet asks a very good question to Arik. Where were these language skills when we were translating journals last year? Arik replies that those are dead languages that he didn't learn to speak. Duh. He was taught to be a diplomat, not talk to dead people. This comment in and of itself is eye opening to the royal education, because again, we've been led to believe that Navarre cut off any and all contact with the Isles centuries ago. But we learned from Halden that this isn't the case, at least with Devarelli. Arryk was taught all the Isle languages in preparation to be a diplomat with them. Which makes me wonder if Nevarian royalty has more connections to the other isles that we're not currently aware of. Which is why he learned these languages in the first place. Just very interesting to consider why his studies included all of this. Especially because the royalty don't seem to acknowledge anything with him like the King of Devarelli did, where it's like, oh, yes, with our past that we have, you know, there's no mention of that. So I don't know. It's very interesting. Also, who wants to bet Halden did not care about learning these other languages because he thinks the common language is superior and everyone should just use that.
- [20:41]
Nicole
That's such a me. I will take that bet. Absolutely.
- [20:43]
Lexi
That's such a Halden thing.
- [20:44]
Nicole
I know, right?
- [20:45]
Lexi
Shifting this conversation about Auric being fluent in these IO languages ever so slightly. It brings up the question about why Dain is here on Quest Squad. Remember that Violet brought Dane because he's the only one she trusts. Trusts to be their translator. But this decision was made before ARC joined Quest Squad and definitely long before it was revealed. ARC can fluently speak these Isle languages. So no one except Auric knew Dain would be redundant on this mission. But that's the key. Auric purposefully did not close the fact that he can speak these languages. Arryk even explains why he didn't say anything and nullify EITOs reason for joining. What is it? Riddick calls us Quest Squad. Knowing that Auric's precognition Signet manifested before they all went on this mission. I'm convinced Arryx saw something in the future that justifies why Dane had to come. He knew Dain needed to be on this mission for a future reason. However, I'll be honest. Nothing from this entire mission seems to stand out as a Dane was really useful and needed moment.
- [21:41]
Nicole
Like he just really wanted to watch Dane get slapped. Let's be real. He was like, this is worth it.
- [21:47]
Lexi
Dain fought an umbrel. So one could argue he needed to be in that challenge where he just goes unconscious in case someone like Riddick replaced him and would have been killed. I don't know. Except Arric insisted on fighting himself in that trial. So I feel like he didn't expect Dain to fight. Then Dain helped in the all hands on deck chaos of saving Garak's life. But any other member could have potentially done the exact same things he did. And here Dain will be slapped. So it's not even like his gift moves Quest Squad forward in any way. Which leaves me to think there is no way for us to know the key to Dain's purpose on these islands yet. And in the next book he'll reveal maybe a little bit of information or something that he picked up on this mission that turns out to be important to the story. Which is what Arik is aware of and why he alone knew Dain needed to go on this mission for a reason other than translating. Playing devil's advocate. This could also have nothing to do with Aric Signet and simply to offer some humor at Dain's character's expense and to incorporate him into the story so we just spend more time with him as his redemption Arc celebration solidifies. And you know, maybe Aric really just didn't want to say anything because all their bags were packed. And they were about to take off. So it would have been a dick move to say as a first year to his wing leader, oh, by the way, you're not needed.
- [22:56]
Nicole
A quick pause to tell you that this show is sponsored by Better Help. We all need our support systems. One thing that fantasy fangirls has really taught me is to start leaning on those support systems. I am not someone who's very good at asking for help. In fact, that is something I am working on with my therapist. Any society that glorifies that hyper independence, it is so easy to forget that we all need to have that support system behind us. Therapy is a great source of support for any area of your life. It's time to shift the focus from doing it all to knowing that we're better when we ask for help.
- [23:30]
Lexi
This is actually the exact topic that my therapist and I have been talking about recently. She's really been a cheerleader for me to delegate and helping me coach through just letting go of that control that Nicole and I are always joking that we are a little bit tense about. So anyway, yeah, like Nicole always knows when I've had my therapy session session because I'm like, oh yes. She's like, ah, you had therapy yesterday, didn't you?
- [23:51]
Nicole
I feel like that goes both ways. Better Help is fully online, making therapy affordable and convenient. Serving over 5 million people worldwide. Access a diverse network of more than 30,000 credentialed therapists with a wide range of specialties. Easily switch therapists at any time at no extra cost.
- [24:11]
Lexi
Build your support system with better help. Visit betterhelp.com FFG to get 10% off your first month. That's betterhelp H-E-L-P.com FFG so with Calixta.
- [24:24]
Nicole
Sitting behind a table, she reaches into the large canvas bag and pulls out a stack of cards the width of Violet's forearm. Goodness. I imagine that this canvas bag itself is filled with other game options. So I think about it as like Calixa's reaching in and Zinal is already in charge of picking even what game trial they do in the first place. After shuffling the deck like a pro, Calixta lays out the cards face down on the table. Now, because we know from Rebecca Yarros in our Denver conversation with her that each of these gifts have meaning. Yes, we are going to go through every single possible meaning slash theory for each gift. First up is Mira. She walks the six feet to the table and picks a card without a second of hesitation.
- [25:14]
Lexi
I love that little detail of choosing it without hesitation. It's such a. Mira, I don't have time for this move.
- [25:21]
Nicole
So real and zenal gifts you wine. I will never forget the moment when we were listening to this for the first time and we were reading at the same time, and it was like zinal gifts you wine. And you and I both look at each other and in sync go, yay, wine. Like, every time I listen to the audiobook that just plays in my head, the. The most logical reason I can imagine Mira getting wine is so that she can get drunk with Drake, so that they finally have a night together.
- [25:48]
Lexi
Well, so you know what? From a historical context, wine has been known to symbolize romance also does raise.
- [25:53]
Nicole
The question, though, and I think this is what it boils down to. Has Mira drank the wine yet?
- [26:00]
Lexi
So I'm inclined to say no, because we haven't seen any evidence of how this will be meaningful. And while it's like a joking quip when she says, I'm gonna fucking need this, it could also be foreshadowing for her to need it in a unique instance.
- [26:13]
Nicole
See, I almost go the opposite, where I'm assuming, yes, she has drank it because it seems so impractical to just carry a bottle of wine around with her everywhere. And that's just not really Mira. Unless she is, like, saving it for maybe a special toasting with her siblings. Like, maybe we'll see her, Violet, and Brennan all share it next book, which I kind of like that. That's very sweet.
- [26:35]
Lexi
I'm gonna be honest. After what happened to Trager, I don't know if I would trust the wine to drink.
- [26:40]
Nicole
Okay, well, that actually brings me to my next theory. Is this wine poisoned? And will that come back into the story in some way? There's the epigraph around poison killing Vennon. And also, Brennan and Violet are poison masters, so could they decode this and figure out that it's some kind of venom killer?
- [27:01]
Lexi
Well, or along those same lines, maybe Mira will need to use the wine for poison and make poison out of it. She's not the poison master between her three siblings, so maybe this helps her in some way with that. Or I could see this bottle of wine somehow be useful in a trade. There's the little detail that it's a painted wine bottle. So could there be a deeper meaning to the painted part of this gift? Like something important is painted on it? Or, as Sandra's library points out on YouTube, this may even be foreshadowing that Mira will lead a mission to the Barrens in a future book because in Iron Flame chapter two, the Barrens are described as painted in crimson and I'm willing to bet this wine is red AKA crimson in its own way.
- [27:42]
Nicole
Well that brings me to Religion watch, which we haven't done in quite a while. In the Bible, wine has very many symbolic meanings, predominantly being a gift from God, which this is in a very literal sense a gift from Zenal. But red wine specifically also means the blood of Jesus Christ, which I do wonder if this could be foreshadowing for Mira being killed and also essentially brought back. Like I'm not totally comparing her to Jesus, but I'm also not saying it's not that way. She was not fully resurrected a la Jesus style. But it could be that foreshadowing.
- [28:16]
Lexi
And then on Reddit Sana Junipero brought up a great point about Mira's gift too, shifting the focus to the person who hands her the wine. It's a middle aged woman with curly brown hair. Who else was a middle aged woman with brown hair? Lilith Sorengale, their mother. After Narelle told Mira that her mother raised her and she has her own legacy to inherit, could this wine, based on its giver, who could be interpreted as a stand in for Lilith, facilitate that legacy in some way? Next up, Marin receives two orange tunics for her gift. These seem to be the same clothing that some of the people in Zelna wear, like Calixta, who is the mistress of today's festivities. The cards they're drawing also have bright orange patterns on the back, so I'm assuming that orange is this isle and the God of Lux color, which does make some sense considering the color orange. Orange symbolizes enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity and determination, but it can also mean lack of seriousness, impatience, frivolity and caution. I feel like 80% of all the above can be wrapped up in the meaning of luck. While we're talking about the color orange, Sandra in that same YouTube video I referenced earlier makes the connection of all the orange flags in Poor Meal where the Venin are moving in. So could this be foreshadowing and a tie in for Marin being a flyer protecting her homeland, moving away from the focus of orange and more onto this gift being pieces of clothing. Perhaps they'll come in handy if Marin has to return to Zelina, especially if it's an undercover mission where she has to maybe blend in with the locals. Or this will relate somehow to Zelina's army that will be making its way to the continent. We also can't forget Marin has two little brothers so maybe they'll be the ones who end up wearing it and making use of these tunics some way somehow.
- [29:53]
Nicole
I also want to pause and talk, going back to the color orange. Orange is the color of the dragons that are most unpredictable in the continent. And I love that it's tied in with the Zelni, who are very unpredictable in their own way. So I am going to go on to a crack theory. What if this is foreshadowing that Merrin will be one of the first ever griffin flyers to also bond a dragon? Specifically an orange dragon. So she'll be like the first ever dragon griffin flyer rider.
- [30:24]
Lexi
Okay, so if we're just having fun with crazy crack theories right now, maybe this is foreshadowing that Marin will be the one to kill Jack fucking Barlow with two oranges.
- [30:34]
Nicole
All right, we're spiraling. It's time to move on to Dane. Dane's card is a picture of a hand and I love this. He goes to shake the woman's hand and she slaps him across the face so hard that it turns his head. And then he looks to the woman and thanks her for it. Iconic. I truly believe that the meaning of this gift was fully for comedic relief. This is just the last of that fuck you Dane energy being expelled. I said this during my Romantasy Bookcon Live show. It feels like such a and now we're even. It's such great irony though, because Dane reads memories with a hand to the face. He just gets slapped in the face. Oh my God. It's also so poetic because they're on a mission where Dane truly gets the shit out of the stick over and over again. His main purpose was completely nullified by Auric just opening his mouth. He was chosen to fight in Umbriel and was knocked out cold within minutes. He also had to translate for Zaden to get Silk in Deverelli and now he's slapped. It's just one more reason for Dain to be like fucking really?
- [31:43]
Lexi
And this is an all humbling Dane. One more time just for us readers and Zaden.
- [31:48]
Nicole
There are some theories that when this slapper connected her hand to Dane's face, Dane read her memories and saw something. However, for multiple reasons, I'm inclined to say that this is a fun theory and I can't get on it quite yet. First, we know from the end of part one of Iron Flame that he has to search through someone's memories before finding the right one. It's like the Google search, but it's the time that Google takes to find the Google searching. So unless she just happened to be thinking of something really important when she slapped him, he wouldn't have time to do that Google search. And also normally it's his hand that needs to be connected to someone's temples, not the other way around. Also, he shouldn't have enough magic to channel. According to Violet. Yes, there is a little bit of magic on the aisle, and yes, Sloane mentions how he's super duper powerful, which I will actually also be getting to later this episode and talking about that, but I feel like he would need to really concentrate. And frankly he was a little too taken aback to be in Memory stealing duty. So for that reason I'm going to stick to this just being Dane getting the shit end of the stick.
- [32:53]
Lexi
So I think I'm going to rephrase that a little bit because it's not so much Dain continuing to get the shit into the stick, but it's the final punishment for his betrayal in fourth Wing and now we can all collectively move on. There is also the question of whether this is a slap parade future incident, and this is actually foreshadowing that Dane will be in need of a slap again. Will he need another wake up call in the future, maybe specifically related to his dad in some way? Dane's firmly already on Violet's side and we know how much Rebecca loves his character, so I'm leaning no on this being foreshadowing for a future wake up call, but had to throw it out there too.
- [33:29]
Nicole
Totally.
- [33:30]
Lexi
Then we have Garrick, who gets a rusted steel bucket. What the heck could this mean? Late bath4508 on Reddit wonders if the bucket can somehow help amplify his signet ability to distance wield, where it's like this bucket transports items for him. Sandra's library says that Garak himself acts as a bucket during the final battle as he moves things and people from place to place, and that because his metaphorical bucket is empty when we're in Imogen's pov, it might be a hint that he is the one who becomes the Venom Brother. Because he's not feeling enough, he needs more and so his bucket is empty. He pulls from the source to fill his metaphorical bucket, running with this idea that the rusted steel bucket is a symbol for Garak becoming the Venom Brother. Ange dmed us and pointed out that this rusty bucket seems useless and it can't be used because it's not good enough. Just like how Rebecca said the new brother feels. I'm Going to channel my inner Nicole and do a metal watch. Because steel symbolizes protection, balance and control, which this certainly seems to describe Garak, especially with his role of watching over Zaden the Venin. Could the rusted part of this be a reflection of his failure to protect Xaden from himself?
- [34:39]
Nicole
Next up, we've got our boy Auric, who receives a fractured hand mirror and it immediately cuts his hand, which I feel like this is going to be important, that he, like, marked it with blood. Why? Maybe I've been reading too much quicksilver. Other than that, I have absolutely no clue.
- [34:55]
Lexi
Well, especially with cutting himself. If we're zooming in on that cut consequence of Zannah's gift. I can't help but think back to what Auric said at the dinner table in Hydotis about how he'll probably die in this war. And this could be an unfortunate nod toward that. Blood often symbolizes sacrifice, and Auric has already accepted his fate as he sacrifices himself for the cause. Or the mirror may symbolize his Precog signet, and when he nicks himself, it's like a warning about the potential dangers of his signet. Or it could be a literal representation of the the cost of his gift and the pain it can induce.
- [35:27]
Nicole
Interesting. So I immediately looked up the meaning behind broken mirrors. Typically, it equals seven years of bad luck. There's that same number seven. Romans believed that breaking a mirror means you trap your soul into a mirror, which sounds a lot like Veninism, which a lot of people could see this as foreshadowing for him being the Venom brother. There's also broken mirrors in literature, which typically symbolizes fractured identities. Which seems pretty on par with Arik.
- [35:54]
Lexi
Right now, and how he has to merge both these identities, Arik the Dragon Rider and Prince Kamtari, into one new identity.
- [36:02]
Nicole
I also really can't help but think about that moment in Harry Potter where there's a twin mirror that connects to each other. Could it be something like this where someone else has the other mirror and they would be able to communicate or look into each other? Like, when it's activated, maybe it's only activated and only only works for the person who cuts blood on it. So, like, it's like that. It's a blood bond, I'll call it. But then my mind starts to absolutely freak out because who would have the other mirror? And this is where I went crazy. What if Venon Naolin is undercover, working as a Venin, and on the inside he has the mirror? Like, maybe he got it from operation he took it with him. But if that's the case then they would have direct contact with. I don't know. I went crazy like I was. I was working on this and that made total sense in my head. And now I'm petition for me to.
- [36:57]
Lexi
Get a fun theory noise so like a button that I can press.
- [37:01]
Nicole
All right, I'm going to completely go sideways here because there's other lores that do have mirrors I can't help but think about, you know, Snow White mirror, mirror on the wall. While in the Disney movie and in the original Brothers Grimm tale, the royal is asking who is the most beautiful in all the land. Now I don't think that would be be necessarily Aaric, but maybe Arik can ask the mirror something and it tells, you know, if someone's lying or it tells or shares the truth or something like that.
- [37:28]
Lexi
Or perhaps this mirror can help him use his signet where it's like he can use it to see a variety of outcomes which is easier for him to sort through than however it plays out in his head.
- [37:38]
Nicole
All in all, all of this to say I can. I think we can agree possibly that this is not just a mirror for mirrors sake. It's aarik. Pretty mystical things tend to happen to him. Now whether that means that this is a mystical mirror and Naolin just so happens to have the matching mirror, I don't know about that. But I definitely think that this mirror, specifically his cut on it will absolutely come back into play.
- [38:01]
Lexi
That's interesting. I'm leaning toward this mirror representing Auric's fractured identity. It just feels so fitting for him and that the blood is a representation of of like a warning for him or something like that. Zooming out to talk about these gifts as a whole, I would honestly be shocked if these gifts are magical.
- [38:18]
Nicole
Really? Yeah, I think some are.
- [38:21]
Lexi
Well, so we know that Zelna has some magic. So it's more likely that these objects have magic in them than objects on other aisles. But I still feel like they wouldn't just give it away. I think it would actually be cooler if these were not magical items and they somehow had their own meaning in a non magical way and only a few of them will actually be real plot devices.
- [38:41]
Nicole
Moving forward, I do agree that not all of them are going to be magic. Like the rusted bucket I think is just a rusted bucket. The bottle of wine. If anything, I think it might be poisoned broccoli is in my opinion not a magical cat. But I do see the fractured hand mirror Just again, because it's who got it. Auric and Violet are two people who mystical things tend to happen to them over and over again. And if there is anyone who gets the extra magical item, I think it would be those two.
- [39:11]
Lexi
Let's move on to Zaden, who gets an empty glass box the size of his foot. So it's of considerable length, you could say with pewter hinges and edges. As he says. At least that's better than getting slapped. Which that would have been fricking hilarious too. Anyway, back to metal. Watch. Pewter symbolizes seriousness and practicality, which is certainly an accurate description of Zaden.
- [39:32]
Nicole
So I wonder if this box is just for I'm going to call it practicality sake. He does put the Blade of Oratia in this box. Box. It's something that Violet will see at the end of this book and she'll see that the Blade of Orisha is in it, but with a mysterious missing emerald. Da da da da. Hers future wedding ring. I also wonder if this is something that Violet's going to continue to look at in book four and it will be one of those constant reminders of Xaden. There's also some theories that this is a magical box and it can transport items. Not to go back to Harry Potter, but I can't help but think about the vanishing Cabinet. And I do love this idea, but again, I don't think that this is a box of nothingness. I don't think it's gonna have any extra magical powers. Instead it's just a practicality sake.
- [40:15]
Lexi
I'm gonna say yes for now because if we look at what else is glass in the series, there is one thing that truly stands out. Violet's conduit that she received from Felix in Iron Flame. Maybe this glass box of Zaden's will serve as a conduit for her, but it's bigger and potentially can hold more power. It would probably have to have some runes tempered into it because I think that Felix mentioned something like that. So it's not currently a conduit, but it can be turned into a conduit. There's also the possibility that this empty glass box represents or will represent Xaden losing his soul. One theory I've seen a few times even suggests that Zaden will find a way to put pieces of his soul into the box. So while his soul won't be part of him anymore as a Venin, at least it's not dead like the ear. It's will explain. Zaden dismisses this gift as A box of nothingness. But that could also be description of a venom with no soul. San Juniperno on Reddit again wonders if maybe Zaden's box contains items representing his soul, like the blade of Orisha, which symbolizes his territory, and Violet's compass because he said that she owns his soul. Then if Violet charges this glass box, using it as a conduit, maybe Zaden can draw from it and pull his soul back into himself himself.
- [41:25]
Nicole
Interesting. I don't think it's going to be soul in a literal sense. Like she charges it and it comes back to him. I love this idea, though, that it's things that symbolize his soul. That is stunning. God, I love that. And now it is time to move on to Violet, who walks up to Calixta and chooses the card on the far left. And it's the compass. A tall man with bronze skin and short black hair comes up and studies her for a long enough moment to make it to the point where it becomes quite awkward.
- [41:57]
Lexi
I'm sorry to have to bring up San Juniperno again, because I just really love this radical article. They noticed a lot of similarities between this man's physical characteristics and Zaden. Even the way he smiles when Violet lifts her chin quote, as though finding my reaction worthy is such a Zaden move. So it could be interpreted that this Zaden representative is giving her her choice gift.
- [42:18]
Nicole
And I'm not gonna lie, I love that it's so much extra epicness with the ending context of his note. Don't look for me and she gets a fucking compass. It's literally the symbolism of air quotes, him handing her a compass after saying, don't look for me. I love that. So with a smirk, this man offers her a black compass on a chain so she can put it around her neck. But when she looks at it, she notices the needle does not point normal, and so she assumes it's broken. But Calixta did not say the broken compass. No, she just said the compass. So we as a fandom can pretty much guarantee that this compass is not broken, Right, Lexi?
- [42:59]
Lexi
I think that broke. It depends on what broken means.
- [43:02]
Nicole
I thought the word broken was pretty clear.
- [43:05]
Lexi
Well, it does not point north. And so I do think that in that regard, yes, it would be be broken. But as we know from lots of fantasy, a compass that does not point north still can be very useful.
- [43:17]
Nicole
You are very literal and I love you for that. Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. It's not a true compass in the point where it shows her where north is, but it's going to be pointing in another direction. But since we don't know what direction this compass is pointing at in this moment, we don't get that extra clue. And trust me, I looked everywhere to see a sign of direction. Like, are they facing the waterfall? Is the waterfall north? And no, it's not. Like, I tried to find anything that told us where north is, and I couldn't find anything. But if you search the word compass in the book, there's one other major instance of the word compass. It's when Zaden looks at Violet quote, like a compass pulled north. Huh. How interesting that this compass does not point to north on the isle, but we get a connection of Zayden compass and north later. Almost like the compass will lead to Zaden. And that brings me to the most popular assumption as to what this compass will be used for. If you have watched Pirates of the Caribbean, you know that there is a compass in it that will point to whatever your heart desires most. However, this is not just in Pirates of the Caribbean. It's also used in other fantasy tales. And I'm not gonna lie, this is actually one of the reasons I'm leaning away from this being what the compass is going to be used for because of, how I'm gonna say, popular this particular trope is. Rebecca Yarros loves to take classics or even some of our favorite theories or tropes and turn them on its head. It's like it's 60% right, but then there's an extra 40% twist that makes it totally unique. So if this does point to whatever her heart desires most, there's absolutely going to be some kind of extra twist with it. So let's throw out some other ideas. The symbolism for a classified signet is a compass. Violet is about to uncover that she has one of the most classified second signets, literally ever. So it could be foreshadowing for her to keeping her signet under wraps. I also read a theory somewhere and I'm so sorry, I couldn't find the name of the original poster that says she will only be able to use this signet or this compass while she's dreamwalking. So she's only able to use the compass while while she's using her classified second signet, AKA the symbol of a compass for the patch. Now, another theory is that it could be a venom tracker, so it'll point to Venon, but that feels too simple. So I feel like again, the extra 60% would be missing. Lastly, at least for now is that it could have something to do with the gods. And I think this is one of my most favorite ones. In chapter 39's epigraph from Asher Sorengel's research quote, sometimes the best gift the God of luck can give give is his absence. So maybe this is why the compass appears broken. It's only activated when Zinal decides you could use a little chaos in your life and bestows luck upon her. Or this is my favorite. It could have to do with Dune. Does it point to the safest route? Or does it point to the route with the highest danger? Or does it point to the highest danger, period? I know I keep referencing Harry Potter here, but I think about, like, the sneakers, something that is looking out for potential danger all around. And then in a meeting, it will point to someone in the room and it's like, fuck, that person's bad. Maybe it'll point to Daddy Atos and it's like, shit, you're a Venin. No matter what, I do believe that Violet still has the compass, even though we don't hear about it again after this isle adventure. Because Zaden does say it's bad luck to throw away a gift from Zanal. Plus plus, it's a Fantasy compass. There is no way that shit is just gonna be tossed aside and never used again.
- [46:52]
Lexi
Oh, my gosh, Nicole. This episode is a marathon. And on these marathon episodes, it is important that we keep ourselves hydrated and ready to go. And if you know us, Element has been an absolute staple in our lives. It helps us know for a fact that we are staying hydrated all day long.
- [47:09]
Nicole
If you are familiar with us here at Fantasy Fangirls, you know we love Element. Not only does it help us hydrate straight, but every sip feels like a treat. Element is a zero sugar electrolyte drink and sparkling electrolyte water, born from the growing body of research revealing that optimal health outcomes occur at sodium levels two to three times. Government recommendations. Each stick pack delivers a meaningful dose of electrolytes. Free of sugar, artificial colors, and other dodgy ingredients.
- [47:36]
Lexi
Element has so many different flavors to choose from and fall in love with. Now that the weather's getting warmer, I'm eyeing that watermelon flavor, which is just my summer staple. Grapefruit and citrus are two of my other favorites. Mango chili has started to make an appearance again. I just love them all so much.
- [47:50]
Nicole
I love mango chili so much. Right now, Element is offering a free sample pack with any purchase. That's eight single serving packets, free with any Element order. This is a great way to try eight of their awesome flavors. Or share Element with a salty friend. You can get yours at Drink Element. This deal is only available through our link. You must go tO-R-I-N k l M-N-T.com FFG Riddick draws a card with a.
- [48:21]
Lexi
Painted pair of lips, which leads the man to clasp Riddick's face with two hands and then smacks a loud kiss on each of his cheeks. What in the world could the meaning of this kiss be? It honestly could be as simple as comedic relief belief. And how very fitting this is for Riddick. This gift of his leans into the idea that Riddick is blessed by Zannal. There's even a theory that he is aware that he is blessed by this God. And that's a big reason why he insists on going on Quest Squad. So his luck can help protect Violet, too. Riddick has said that he prefers it all because you can get through anything with luck. This gift may be Zenal's way of saying thank you to Riddick. On the flip side, there is concern that this is a kiss of death for Riddick and it's foreshadowing for his looming end. We discussed last episode how his close call from the hedotist cook may be foreshadowing and that his death is the one coming for us in book four. So yeah, that's concerning.
- [49:13]
Nicole
Yes. And on tour for Onyx Storm, Rebecca did mention how she said it in passing, but she said how she's not planning on killing Riddick and then she immediately changed the subject. So I don't know if that was a Freudian slip or that was a. Well, I'm not planning on killing Riddick right now, at least. And so I'm taking that as he's safe because I need that, that little blanket of comfort.
- [49:33]
Lexi
I do, too. And also, it's like he's had so many close calls with death again, it is like Zinal is blessing him and he is that lucky. So I'm going to stick with the meaning that this gift is and all showing his appreciation for Riddick, believing in him, and that it is a good sign for him. Moving on to Kat, who receives a gold necklace with a dangling ruby the size of Violet's thumb gem watch.
- [49:55]
Nicole
In medieval Europe, rubies were worn to guarantee how wealth, wisdom, and success in love. It also symbolizes romance, which is quite interesting, seeing how she is gifted something that symbolizes romance and success in love right before Traeger gets murdered. Could this be a subtle reference to how he has to die to make way for an eventual powerful match.
- [50:18]
Lexi
Like Auric, this ruby gift may also be foreshadowing for Cat's rise to the promish throne. That's definitely what I'm leaning toward here. Although that would be very sad because that means Serena, her sister, will have to die. And unfortunately, that is something that is very possible. And also Tokares too would have to die, which probably wouldn't be too surprising for anybody with all the foreshadowing of Cordon's downfall. You know who else in the series is associated with rubies in this book? The Duchess of Moraine, another noble woman who symbolizes power and status and wealth. So that's what I'm taking this to mean for Cat.
- [50:52]
Nicole
So it was also the Duchess of Moraine's daughter who she was trying to set Xaden up with. So it also nice little pairing of people are trying to betroth Zayden to people of eventual power when he's like, no, I want Violet. But then we have Drake, who walks up and draws the claw. A man the size of a bear comes walking up and Violet's mind starts whirling. What if his nails are filed to shoot sharp points? What if we get another panther situation? But then he reaches into his pocket and takes out a mewling kitten? Welcome to the story. Broccoli, the kitty cat who took over the world. Other than this adorable cat taking over our hearts, much to Rebecca Yarros surprise. I will never forget being on stage with her and she was in the middle of this, like, really interesting answer. And then she just looks at the and she goes, are those broccolis? And there were broccoli stickers all over the stage floor from people in the front room.
- [51:50]
Lexi
I actually had one on my desk the other day. I must have moved it, but it is somewhere in this vicinity.
- [51:55]
Nicole
Mine's weirdly still in my car. And now I don't want to take it out because it feels like Zenal's with me when I'm driving. Anyway, let's talk about the importance that Broccoli might introduce into our story. I absolutely think that Broccoli is going to be the thing that brings Mira and Drake together. It's almost like they take responsibility over a kitten and raise it as a couple. Later, when Drake is struggling to hold the kitty cat and look at the map, Meera says, give me that. But instead of taking the map, she takes the kitten and snuggles it. They're already finding a groove as cat parents. I'M so proud. I also absolutely see Broccoli at some point running off. And by our crew chasing after Broccoli, they discover something basically. Like what? What if Broccoli runs into a cave and then they have to run in after him? And then it's like all these drawings or something on the cave and it's like whole other information about the Irids and how they killed the venom. I don't know. Basically, I see Broccoli.
- [52:52]
Lexi
So Game of Thrones.
- [52:54]
Nicole
I see Broccoli as the zinal gift that keeps on giving. But why an orange tabby cat? It is time for my much too extensive orange cat research that got cut from our Romantasy Book con outline.
- [53:10]
Lexi
So quick behind the scenes for you all at Romanasy book on our live show had to be under one hour, right? And we only had three theories, and the Zenal gifts were one of them. So if you want even more talk about the zen all gifts, go listen to that. But I was like, nicole, we have to cut some of this stuff out. Like, I think the orange tabby cat, like, pages might have to go. And we, I won't say argued over it, but there was a little bit about and forth there and finally was like, okay, fine, I know I have to take it out. And then for this episode, you're like, but I'm putting it back in. It's like, okay.
- [53:41]
Nicole
And you know what?
- [53:41]
Lexi
We have no time limit here. So here you go.
- [53:43]
Nicole
I did even more for that. I spent an extra hour researching all things orange taffy cats. It was great. I loved it. So let's start with a quick DNA lesson about orange taffy cats. The reason orange cats are orange is because of an orange gene, literally called orange gene on the X chromosome. That is the reason the cat cats get the pigment phymilionon, which gives them that signature color. And this does affect the sex of orange tabby cats because there is about four male orange cats to every one female. So Broccoli being a girl cat is extra special. What about the typical orange cat temperament? They are thought to be more affectionate and friendlier than other cats, which sometimes does align, but more commonly does not align with the term orange cat behavior. If you have ever owned an orange cat, you know that those tabbies can be unhinged agents of chaos, if you will, which makes me so excited to see what the heck broccoli might get up to. Although this orange cat behavior is not scientifically proven yet, they have been proven to be more likely to engage in risky behavior that results in death. If. Well, we know broccoli is not going to die, we know that broccoli is safe. They are also usually great explorers. Orange cats are also wildly popular in the media. For instance, Garfield, Orangey from Breakfast, Tiffany's Spot from Star the Next Generation, Puss in Boots, and of course, now, the beloved broccoli. Lastly, let's talk about the symbolism behind orange tabby cats. This is where I really see broccoli coming into our story. Spiritually, they symbolize optimism and leading a world to change. They can also be seen as messengers from the gods. In ancient Chinese culture, orange cats are also commonly associated with energy, creativity, courage, transformation, spiritual awakenings and passion. They're symbols for good luck and fortune in many different cultures. Way to go, Drake. In Scotland, they are thought to bat away demons and bad spirits. But most importantly, they are wildly known to bring happiness, like maybe a girlfriend named Mira Sorrengale. So, all in all, a very positive outlook for Drake and his gift of the kitty cat. Later, we will learn that this cutie patootie's name is dubbed Broccoli. Why broccoli, you ask? Ask because no one wants broccoli, but it's good for you. I really like broccoli, and I want broccoli sometimes, so feel a little attacked here. But then when Mira asks, why not carrots? She's orange after all, he says, quote, just to frustrate you, Soren. Gail, again, I truly believe that this type of banter is Mira's love language. And there is my extensive research on orange tabby cats.
- [56:23]
Lexi
Bravo, Nicole. Very good. Now, you did mention real quickly, because one of the things fandom's biggest questions by the end of Onyx Storm is, where is broccoli? So to confirm, Rebecca did say that Broccoli is safe with Drake in Corden at the end of this book. And when we insisted, Rebecca has to give us at least one name of a character who is safe for the entire series. She initially was not willing to tell us anybody. And finally it was like, okay, well, is broccoli safe? And she said, yes, I would not kill a cat. So there you go, everybody. Broccoli is the only character in this entire series that is definitely safe and will not die.
- [56:58]
Nicole
Thank God. Before we get into our final gift, I have to ask, who do you think got the best gift of the bunch? Because it's obviously not shot through the heart? Trager.
- [57:10]
Lexi
That's easy. It's Drake. He got an adorable orange kitten out of it. I will say, if I'm Being practical, which I usually am. I am allergic to cats, so I would not say no to Cat's gift of a ruby necklace. But you know what? I would take daily allergy medicine for broccoli.
- [57:28]
Nicole
Like, obviously, it's Mira's gift. She got a bottle of wine. It's so non threatening. I don't know. You drink it and it's done.
- [57:35]
Lexi
Don't be afraid that that thing has poison in it. After what happens to Trager, you don't.
- [57:40]
Nicole
Have to carry it around for 15 years like a cat.
- [57:44]
Lexi
This is why you don't have a pet, Nicole.
- [57:48]
Nicole
Jeez. I'm just gonna say, if I am a Griffin flyer or even a Dragon Rider, one of the last things I would want is a cat that thinks for itself and could run off on its own. And I would be responsible for it. This is why I don't have children.
- [58:05]
Lexi
I'm so sorry, friends, but it is time to talk about the final gift. Trager, who said upon arrival here that this is his favorite isle, who never gave up on the girl Jim Hell Style, who helps heal the wounded, pulls the arrow card, and for the first time, the crowd goes silent because Zanal has spoken. In an instant, an arrow shoots through his heart, and he staggers, reaching for his girl cat. And he's dead before Riddick and Violet can catch him. Rip, our beloved second Squad flyer. What a long wait. We've come with you, Trager, since Iron Flame. He and Rhea hit it off really badly, which led to him challenging her on the mat right before they became squad mates. But then he flew to help with the battle of Bisgaev, and he became a close part of second squad ever since he came on this quest squad for his healer training. And unfortunately, Zanal is not with him on this tragic, tragic day. Rip Trager, you will be missed. Especially by poor Kat, who will blame herself because she's the one who asked him to come on this mission. As we will reflect on the meaning of his gift, like we've been doing with the others. I think this is the most straightforward one. Trager's death will lead Questquat to venture to the Minor Isles and off their route, which will result in the Eards showing themselves. And that whole interaction will be getting too shortly. Wildharp on Reddit also pointed out that Trager's shot in the heart is like a reference to Cupid about his relationship with Chat. Falling in love is often depicted as taking an arrow from Cupid. And. And, well, he's in love with Cat and gets an arrow straight through his heart.
- [59:37]
Nicole
I also can't help but think about what I said earlier, where his relationship with Cat was to help her get over wanting the Xaden crown. She didn't want Zaden. She wanted the power that was associated with Satan. So then she found someone who she truly had feelings for. And then maybe next time she's gonna get someone who has both the power and the feelings with her. So it's almost like that progression of love that we all have. True love.
- [60:01]
Lexi
Exactly. Of like that true love of knowing what it feels like to truly be cared about. And she will know that she needs that in her next relationship.
- [60:09]
Nicole
So I think that there is going to be another relationship for Kat. I think it's going to be a second, obviously, but I still think it might be Arik. I'm kind of more and more on the aric train, especially now that Dane is off the table because he's got a Sloan. As everyone starts to realize that Trager's gift is not so great, we get a myriad of reactions. Riddick and Violet run to catch him and start to panic with guilt when Riddick confirms he's dead. Garrick grabs Riddick while Zaden grabs Violet. And using the wingleater voice for really the first time in a while, he tells her to look at him and not react. Because if she does everything they've done to get here, the long flights, everyone's weird ass gifts, getting this close to meeting with the Queen, getting this close to gaining an army and help them in the war, it will all be thrown away in less than a heartbeat. Remember back in Iron Flame when Violet told Ree that because of the bestgaeth way, constantly having death all around them, watching Aurelie fall Prior, burning cadets, dying left and right on the mat, quote prepared me for the moment I had to leave Liam's body on the ground and fight. While this is a very different type of fighting than she had to do when she left Liam behind in Russen, Violet needs to shove down any reaction, any anger or grief that her squadmate is now dead to focus on the next step in front of them. Meanwhile, Drake is holding back Cat, covering her mouth as she screams. And even though his face falls as a result, he whispers something in her ear. Assuming because we don't know exactly what it is, it's something that is very similar to what Zaden is saying here, reminding her of why they cannot react.
- [61:43]
Lexi
My heart breaks for Kat here. She's finally moved on from chasing the Tyrandor crown and found True happiness with someone who genuinely loves and cares about her. It's been a budding romance, new and exciting and full of hope, and now it's taken away from her before it had a real chance to flourish. As we sadly know, Griffins die with their flyers. We saw this firsthand with Luella and her Griffin during the treacherous climb up the cliffs of Dralor and Chat reminded us again on Hydotus when she defended Griffin's decisions to bond humans and expressed her respect and trust in them. What she says illustrates the mutual relationship between Griffin and Flyer in a way the writers don't really have with their dragons. Dragons are much stronger than humans, and most of them outlive their bonded riders. Humans are their pets, as we've discussed at length. But there's a little bit more of an equal partnership between Griffin and Flyer so we know what happens next. Trager's Griffin Sillerain begins stumbling like she can reach Trager if she just tries hard enough as her life force fades after the death of her bonded cat's Griffin is close by her side as she falls, then drapes a wing over her Griffin friend's lifeless body. Rip Scylla. Oh, this part's just so sad.
- [62:52]
Nicole
Oh, I think we need another quick breather after all of that. Let's take a quick break and talk about some things that we are dreaming about. We all dream of making our space more like home. My ideal home decor is like, it's very monochromatic, but I like that like crisp, clean white grays look. And Wayfair has basically helped me stylize my entire apartment that way. It's helped me turn that dream of bringing my style into my space a reality.
- [63:19]
Lexi
There's something Every style and every home, no matter your space or budget. Wayfair makes it easy to tackle any project with endless inspiration, whether you need a light refresh or an organization overhaul. We are currently undergoing an organization overhaul in our home right now and my husband just recently hung up a bunch of stuff on the walls. It's really starting to feel like home and it's so, so, so wonderful. And our furniture, our decorations, our organization stuff. It is all from Wayfair head over.
- [63:45]
Nicole
To Wayfair.com and find something that is just your style today. That's W A Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every home. It would be very easy for Zaden, master of the stone face, to take over and step forward to accept thanks for Trager's gift. But he Knows as much as he would like to take away Violet's pain right now, she is the one who has to step forward. She's in command after all. And Calixta and the rest of the Zelny crew know it. Command has never taken tasted so horrible to Violet. She wants to fight. She wants to turn her wrath into vengeance because of what they've done to her squad mate. But that would be frankly the easy option. And this is not an easy option kind of day. If she fails, if she fights back, sure, that would make her feel better for the moment. But quote if I fail, we will have lost another squad mate, another year mate for nothing. Back in Iron Flame, when Violet asks Xaden what watching others, specifically the first years dies, makes her, Zaden answered that it makes her a second year. Quote, the first year is when some of us lose our lives. The second year is when the rest of us lose our humanity. As Violet turns and steps forward next to Trager's dead body and his Griffin beside him, she expels yet another piece of that humanity as she thanks the Zelni. Violet later will be talking to Zaden, believing that this moment of indecision, shock, wrath, wish to fight back, wanting others to step in so that she does not have to wear this leadership like a weight. She feels like she froze. Everything was on the line and she froze. Almost losing the entire mission and failing as a leader as a result. But as Zayden reminds her, a you didn't freeze. You went into shock at the sudden loss of your yearmate. That makes you human to having a reaction to death of someone that you care for, and B, this is leadership. You will lose someone under your command. Leadership is about doing the shit that's incredibly hard when. When you more than anything, just want to crumble. And the best leaders aren't those who seek it out, but instead the ones who are thrust into the position even when they don't want the job. Much like Violet. Just like many of us when we are in a momentary pity party for ourselves, it looks like these words don't exactly take her out of this. Anger, guilt and feeling like she's not enough for the job. So Zaden instead tries a different tactic. Quote I've seen the moments where you don't just rise to the occasion, you own it. Deverelli Umbriel, you poisoned the entire triumvirate of Hedotus, for fuck's sake. Imagine who you'll become when you finally learn to not only embrace that confidence, but live it. Round of Applause for a man who reminds his woman that she is more than enough as she is.
- [66:27]
Lexi
During this later conversation, Zaden reminds Violet that Andarna chose her. Tern chose her. And in battle, it isn't the humans who give commands, it's the dragons. You are selected by a general among dragons. You can choose to step into leadership, or he can drag you. Either way, you're going to end up in front. This ending up in front is both in the literal and figurative sense, because we all know how Taryn literally needs to be in the front of everything. She was chosen by a leader who saw a leader within her and believes her worthy to be in the front with him as his writer. I love the realization that Coda speaks through Meldren, not the other way around. Just like how Violet's dragons speak through her. And she is finding her confidence and courage in that. Especially in Onyx Storm. That line about Melgrin and Coda also feels like Melgren can't be Venon because of the black dragon he's bonded to. But that's a conversation for another day. Feeling like she isn't worthy of such leadership, Violet says that Taryn chose poorly, but we all know that is not true, just like Zaden knows it's not and tells her. This little scene also feels like a promise of what we'll get to see in Violet for these next few books. Onyx Storm is Violet stepping into leadership and beginning to own it when she needs to. But I believe the next book will be her truly starting to embrace her role as a leader, as the Duchess of Tirndor, and as a writer with two very powerful signets. And I just can't wait for her.
- [67:47]
Nicole
I mean, never forget what Rebecca Yara said. Violet's song. I asked her if you could describe Violet in book four as a. A Taylor Swift song, what would it be? And she said, look what you made me do. Which was not what I was expecting. That is a song that's literally like, fuck the world. I'm gonna take over it. So I'm really excited. Eight hours later from the trial, Woof, Zayden, Mira, Arryk and Violet return to their squad, who are still by Trager and Scylla's bodies. It is wild because they've been off for eight hours to meet with the queen of this isle and we never get to learn anything about her. I just want to know, is she as chaotic as the rest of them? Is she totally normal? I don't know. Like. But my question is for you. Do you think we're ever going to meet the Queen of Zelna because her.
- [68:35]
Lexi
Army is coming to the continent. I want to say yes, maybe not that she would be going with them, but that we will have some kind of communication with her. However, I will also say this. Out of all the isles, this. This is the one I think we're least likely to go to. Again. Violet definitely does not want to come back to this isle, so the queen would have to come to the continent. And she doesn't strike me as a warrior like Marlise is. That is simply an assumption. We do not know anything about this queen. But, yeah, that. That's what I'm thinking. So I think maybe we'll see her, but not on Zelna.
- [69:04]
Nicole
I think that if anything, we might get, like, written communication with her to see that. We do know from Rebecca Yarros that there are a few scenes that got cut from the final version of Onyx Storm simply because of word limit and space reasons and, you know, like, stacking books on a. So I wonder if this eight hour scene with the Queen was one of the things that got cut.
- [69:23]
Lexi
I wouldn't be surprised at all if it was. The only one that we do have confirmed was cut was the heist into Daddy Atos's new quarters.
- [69:30]
Nicole
In these eight hours, negotiations were made and met. And it was all too easy to come to terms which are oddly favorable to Navarre. And I truly wonder why this is. Are they favorable to anyone who passes their trust trial? Did the Queen of Zelna have her own vibe check that she did before they came to meet her? Like, does she have a Magic 8 ball of sorts, like the Zen all version of the Magic 8 Ball? And she asked an all, like, how easy should I make it for them? And then she stuck it really hard. And then it came up with, like, super easy. I have a crack theory.
- [70:01]
Lexi
Oh, gimme. What if Zelna was the unnamed Isle back with the second Crovlin uprising, and they were the ones that wanted dragons, and so by sending their troops to the continent, they think that this is like their way in to now get dragons. And so their ultimate goal is to get dragons, and this is their way of facilitating that.
- [70:21]
Nicole
I love that even your crack theories have so much element of possibility. Whatever it was that made it so easy to do these negotiations. Dang. It is pretty good. For our quest squad Zelda will send an advance party within the next few months, and the rest of their troops will follow whenever they're ready and prepared to receive 40,000 more. People in Navarre, when they say receive, I do wonder, does this mean that Navarre specifically Oracia, Because I'm assuming that's where they're going to come, just like the advance party does at the end. Does that mean Orisha has to provide like lodging, food, weapons, et cetera for all these people? And if so, poor Brennan, because homeboy is already losing sleep over the sheep population. Imagine 40,000 people.
- [71:02]
Lexi
Well, and then Zaden's going to be opening up his borders to Tirandor for the promish next episode. So yeah, they're gonna have some food stuff at least. Rhys family with their store is gonna be nice and busy.
- [71:13]
Nicole
Oh, they're gonna be loading in. I love it. Drake does have a really good point though, even though he is saying it to not so subtly share with Kat how valuable it is that this happened. Which means how valuable it is that trager died with 40,000 soldiers. They have more people to man the crossbolts to shoot the wyvern out of the sky. Not to mention the increase of potential trolls. They'll be able to do so that the Venin stops sleeping through the cracks like this. 40,000 is a huge win.
- [71:40]
Lexi
But despite this win, and the first truly useful alliance they've secured with an isle, hopelessness is creeping up on Violet. They are running out of aisles to find the seventh dragon den. @ least with the main isles, there's only one left for them to search. Violet has placed so much on the line as she focuses on finding the seventh dragon den to help their cause and to if they know the cure. But now they're 4 0, with not a single clue of where the Irids might be. And as the leader of this mission, the weight of failure weighs so heavily on Violet's shoulders, she's had to stay strong and steadfast in her belief that they will find the Irids. But now doubt has her in a chokehold, and she's terrified of the repercussions of their failure. Not finding the Irids equals losing this war. They are that outnumbered. They are that out of their depths with the thing.
- [72:25]
Nicole
With yet another isle turning up dry and not wanting to stay here for a minute longer, it's time to hit the road. But Merrin and Cat cut in. We have to burn Trager and Scylla's bodies. Not here on Zelna, though. No part of them should remain here. I agree. So there's a dozen of uninhabited minor isles within a day's flight. Pick one. Even if it deviates them off course for a few days because, as Kat.
- [72:50]
Lexi
Insists, Trager and his Griffin are worth losing a few days of the mission. They decide to make the most of the deviation of their route though. While Flyer and Griffin burn and are offered up to Malak, some of their group can split and fly over minor isles to search for the Irids. Then when they're ready, they can depart for Loisam, the isle of the Goddess of Love. Honestly, I think this is a great plan. They've kind of been thinking like humans. They are humans. Of course they have to check the main isles in case the Irids are there. But the deserted minor isles are where I would feel like the seventh dragon den that left human civilization would more likely be be as awful as a reasoning is for them to have to go to the Meyer Idols, it's also the necessary push they need to explore uncharted territory.
- [73:31]
Nicole
So they will fly northwest from dawn until the middle of the night. Before they reach an isle that is deserted, it is time for travel math. South of the equator, dawn is on average at 6am So 6am to roughly 12am is 18 hours hours, or 572.4 miles, or 921.2 kilometers. Or because we're in Zelna and I compared them to France earlier, it is the distance from Paris to Nice, which takes the SNCF train around six hours.
- [74:06]
Lexi
Taking into account how vast this part of the world is, I can only imagine how many minor isles there really are. The map our crew has from I believe Cordan only identifies so many isles, but as they find out, the isle they're on is not identified by the map. And this particular isle does indeed have more magic than there was on Zelna, which I assume is because an old volcano is on this isle. And as Taran notes, they're about an hour's flight from sizable cliffs. But there is also the possibility that more magic means closer to hatching grounds, specifically the Irid hatching grounds, like I was mentioning way, way earlier. Earlier at the top of this episode, after they commend Trager and Scylla's souls to Malak, and the flyers take turns watching over the fire for the rest of the night. As is custom when sending a soul off, it is time to make the most of this detour from their intended route. They come to the conclusion that there are hundreds of islands out this way, not just a couple dozen like the map makers recorded. So the plan is to search as many as they can, trying to track down the Irids by breaking into five groups. Violet strategically keeps the paired griffins to closer isles because they're exhausted and can't fly as far. And she pairs dragons with similar flight strengths with the exception of Taryn and Sigail.
- [75:14]
Nicole
But what Zaden and Violet aren't patrolling together? Correct. Violet paired Honey Bear with Garruk for multiple reasons. Number one, the very public reason is Taran and Sigale can communicate again because they have magic. So if they are split up they can talk over those long distance and keep each other in the know of of what the Hippity haps are. And number two, the much more private reason is now that there's magic beneath their feet. And as Xaden puts it, he might not even need it. But damn, it's tempting to pull from that source, especially knowing that if he just reached, he would be at full strength again. But he won't, right Xaden? True Xaden, you won't. Unless something triggers him. Words cannot describe my pride for Violet right now at the beginning of this book and actually later on this episode, there is no way she could have had this awareness around the possibility of Xaden channeling more. But now she's seen enough of Xaden on the ice to deduce what the common trigger is her. Which brings us to a little bit of actually Zaden in denial. He says, quote, you're not a trigger. You're the only thing I can't fathom losing. Wielding to protect you has always been an instinct, but now it's uncontrollable. Zaden never wants anyone else to bear the weight of protecting him or saving him. And as he views it, that is his responsibility. Responsibility alone. But the reality is Violet is thinking about it and if she's not patrolling with him, she will be out of sight, hopefully out of mind. And that way it'll lessen the chances of him getting triggered and channeling. And worst case scenario, if something sets Satan off, Garak also has serum. But while Zaden accepts this flight pairing, not including him and Violet, Taryn is a little more pissed about it. After weeks of not being able to communicate with his mate, he is so mad that they will not be together, which his line of quote, I'll say the same when you've been unable to communicate with your mate for weeks and are deprived by choice. Followed by Violet's quote, humans don't mate. This has led to an alarm, alarm, alarm moments from the fandom Are the only mates in this world dragons? Or is this uncontrollable connection with Zaden and violence. Violet also a mating bond in a Reddit article by a poster who has since deleted their account. So I'm so sorry I cannot properly credit you, but they pointed out how twice in Onyx Storm, Taran refers to Xaden as Violet's mate, all of this being very on brand for Rebecca Yarros, who typically has meanings on meanings on meanings on Easter eggs with Violet and Xaden having bonded a pair of already mated dragons. We don't know how two mated dragons dragons affect the two riders attached to them, other than sometimes having the ability of being able to speak mind to mind, which Taryn and fourth Wing says is a great advantage in battle. But these two also have some extra advantages. Suzel commented on this post, bringing up how Violet and Zaden can share memories with each other, something all dragons can do. But as Taran puts it in Fourth Wing quote, a memory has never been shared outside of a mating bond. And then in chapter four in Onyx Storm, Violet and Zaden question whether or not it's an intrinsic thing. So Rebecca Yarros is literally asking us to start questioning why they have this very specific ability. Now this could be because they are both types of intics, but it also could be a mate thing. Back to what the original poster was saying, they mentioned how this all might come into play around Xaden's soul if Violet is the extra pull for him. And according to Xaden's ending chapter quote, the bond between violence and me is the kind of magic that has no explanation. What if their bond is his tether to this world? It's not only their love that keeps him from turning fully at the end of Onyx Storm. Instead it is her, his mate, being the literal anchor. He cannot lose his soul fully because it's tethered to her through the mating bond. Now let's get into Lexi and I's thoughts around this theory because because personally I like it. I could absolutely see this happening with the biggest, most boldest underlined asterisk. There is a huge trope in Romantasy and fantasy around fated mates and then there's more mates in the I'm going to call it chosen sense. I feel like Taran and Sigale are more of the chosen mates. It's a bond deeper than love, but they still chose chose to have it. If this is a mate situation between Zayden and Violet, I 1000% think that it will be more of the I choose you Pikachu. And we also have this super deep connection more so than the faded kind, which it does tend to be. I'm not going to say overused, but it is very common in Roman. If this were to happen, this I choose you, Pikachu. I don't see it like being a surprise. Your mates, like they're already in love and now they're married even though they're not currently in the same place. They don't need that extra label connection unless it is going to come into play some way to save Xaden's soul. So I am very open to it. I think we're supposed to be asking these questions given the Easter eggs and the memory sharing stuff, but I don't think it will be cut and dry mates as we're used to in other romantic fantasy books. I wonder if some of the mating bond from Taryn and Sigail even rubbed off onto Xaden and Violet and it's going to help them in the next book. Maybe with their long distance and being able to communicate. I don't know because it does seem like mating bonds do strengthen over time. So I don't know if that would actually really help them here. The one thing that really has me leaning into this theory is the memory sharing connection. Zane and Violet were already wondering why they can share memories and Taryn was the one back in book one who connected that skill to mating bonds. Even though it's not exclusive to it.
- [81:11]
Lexi
We are so aligned with all of this. Yes, I definitely think there is more to Xaden and Violet's bond than we currently know. But just like you, I don't think that it's a human mating bond in the way we're familiar with in the Roman genre. And I'll be honest, I hope it's not. Because as much as I love that faded mates trope, I also love in the Empyrean series that it doesn't have the faded mates element to it. Because the soul deep level of love that Zaden and Violet share feels all the more special because they're not those kind of mates. They choose each other. They choose to work for this soul deep love and connection that they do have. But like you're saying, if we shift our definition of mates from what we know with Fae and such, I can see a version of this where it is that soul deep level of love love that for lack of better word, connects your souls. And I love what you're saying about how that could tie into saving Zaden's soul. There is a reason we did not go to the aisle of the Goddess of love. And I really think that there are going to be some answers and especially tie into Xaden that we just can't even fathom yet. So Violet and Zadian are already connected more than your usual couple with the bond of their dragons and now we know that they are both types of intense which heightens their mind to mind connection. There is even the argument that they are both full intense, which is something that no one has ever experienced before in this whole world. At least that is on the record. And I think that's where this concept of mates can stem from. Is it an official mating bond? Maybe not. But is it heightened because of their signets, their dragon bonds and their emotional connection? 1,000%, which in this world may be the definition of a mate.
- [82:45]
Nicole
I have to say this journey through the aisles has me thinking about the beach. I'm always thinking about the beach. Vacation season is on its way. All of this to say I'm treating myself to some luxury upgrades I deserve with Quint's high quality travel essentials at fair prices.
- [83:02]
Lexi
Quint has so many great options like lightweight European linen styles from $30, washable silk tops and comfy lounge sets. They also have premium luggage luggage options and stylish tote bags to carry it all. The best part? All Quince Items are priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands.
- [83:19]
Nicole
By partnering directly with top factories, Quince cuts out the cost of the middleman and passes the savings on to us, the customers. It is about to be the time of year for my favorite shorts which are yes, Quince shorts. They're these black shorts are super cute. They've got pockets, they're super comfortable. I love them so much and I will probably wear them until the day.
- [83:40]
Lexi
I For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from quince. Go to quince.com FFG for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com FFG to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quint.com FFG so the other four groups leave for their respective aisle searches and it's just Iotrent, Taran and a sleeping Andarna with Violet and Riddick watching over the remaining fire for Trager and Scylla. First of all, I love that Violet paired herself with Riddick. He's here as her personal guard, so it absolutely makes sense that she put the two of them together out of respect for Riddick's purpose on this quest Squad the timing should work out well for the fire to burn out because it is customary for someone to watch over the fire the whole time when burning a soul. To Malik and friend Darna to get some much needed rest after all this flight travel before this pairing heads off to their quadrant of isle searching. But then the ground shudders. The volcano is going to erupt. Wait, no, that's not it. Sand starts flying, water is spraying and it's not Ayrtrom. And what's this? Fresh dragon tracks. But Taran and Ayotrom are somewhere else on the isle. Love how Violet steps in front of sleeping and Darneth's neck to protect her from her most vulnerable vulnerable spot. What great foreshadowing for what's about to go down with what Violet will be accused of and how far from the truth that is. And then the air shimmers and solidifies into sky blue scales.
- [85:09]
Nicole
Dragons.
- [85:11]
Lexi
What's more, dragons that were just camouflaged and are now showing themselves right in front of Violet. This can only mean one thing. The Eras have found us. The gasp. I gasped when this was all unfolding.
- [85:23]
Nicole
The the way I would have peed my pants if I was just going about my day. And then a dragon materializes right in front of me. Like I would have. I would have keeled over dead right then and there. Just drop dead.
- [85:35]
Lexi
Six dragons that rival the size of Sigail. So very big dragons, but not the biggest like Taran, materialize on the beach and they lower their heads to eye our crew. Now, before we dive into this long anticipated intro, I want to take a quick moment and go through why the Irids have chosen to appear here and now. Because we'll find out. They've watched some of this journey and have come to the conclusion that it is not peace they seek, but rather victory. It makes me wonder what part of their journey they've seen. Did the Irids see the three fight in Umbriel and know that Violet wielded lightning? Did they follow them to Hydotus and watch the whole poisoning fiasco? Or Zelna, where they had to say thank you after they their friend was shot through the heart?
- [86:15]
Nicole
Given their victory over peace statement that they're about to make, I am assuming at a minimum they saw he dotes. She did have Indarna as leverage there to use as a weapon should things go to shit. And they did. However, there are some people who think that the glowing eye on the Dune statue in Umbriel was not Indarna and instead it was an Irid watching over them. And that I could absolutely see. So I could see it having been.
- [86:43]
Lexi
Since Umbriel, the Irids are making an appearance here to speak with Andarna. Though as it turns out, they will also be passing major judgment on Violet and Nevarian civilization. They'll explain that, yes, they have an isle, and there are hundreds of Irids, but they do not live with humans. The Irids do not bother with humankind. And while we'll explore their philosophy in detail very soon, I really do think that they've been waiting for our crew to be far enough away from other humans to show themselves. All the more reason for fate to take our crew away from their route of the main isles. The Irids never would have made an appearance near human civilization, so it would seem they've held out for the better opportunity. Which is sad to think that if Quest Squad had taken the minor isles into account before, Zelna Trager may still be alive. They've mentioned searching the minor isles before, but quite frankly, they seem too vast and daunting. So first priority for our crew became the main isles.
- [87:34]
Nicole
But I also understand that they also wanted to get armies for the continent. And if they're talking to people, you can ask them like, hey, have you seen any Irids per chance? So I understand the logic here for sure.
- [87:46]
Lexi
I assume that after they would have gone to Lois, they would have gone back and then hit some of the minor aisles. And that's probably when they would have realized how many more isles there are than what just appears on the map.
- [87:57]
Nicole
Exactly. And they would have been gone way longer than three and a half weeks. The one directly in front of Violet flares its nostrils and a slide whistle sound, starting low and going high in less than a heartbeat, sounds off in her head after all. The horrid noise fills her ears. Violet hears a hello human. Within a few moments, Violet and Riddick, with also the slide whistle treatment will be able to not only hear all Irids communicate, but Riddick will also be able to hear Andarna too. It's unclear if Riddick can also hear Terne, and we don't get a mention of IO Trim talking. Talking into Violet's head. So I'm assuming the non Irid bonds are normal. The only humans who can hear the non Irid dragons are the bonded humans. But the dragons can talk to all of the other winged creatures in the vicinity. We learned back and forth wing that it is a big time. No, no. For dragons to speak to the humans they're not bonded to, which Is why when in Darna started speaking into Violet's mind on the flight field after threshing, Violet was like, what the fuck?
- [88:58]
Lexi
I'll even ask is it possible for dragons to speak into humans minds who aren't their bonded? Did of, obviously. Besides Irids, that was Violet. Assuming it's a no, no, you're not supposed to do that. But it really seems like it's just not possible. From everything we've picked up on since.
- [89:13]
Nicole
Then, for a group of six IRIDs to suddenly be able to create a full blown group call is quite unheard of. I do wonder however, if this way of being all able to communicate will be used in a future battle where all dragons and Griffins and riders and flyers would be able to talk. To be quite honest, that feels way too chaotic.
- [89:35]
Lexi
That makes me so overstimulated just thinking about that scenario. That's like the group text that just keeps blowing up and they're like, oh my God, go away.
- [89:42]
Nicole
That's the group text you mute within five minutes of being added to the group text.
- [89:47]
Lexi
Yes.
- [89:50]
Nicole
When asked how they speak their language, one of the male Irids replies back quote, we are magic. You know how we asked Rebecca Yarros what percentage of Violet's signet power we've seen and she said 10%. I want to know what percentage of Irid's magic we have seen so far. Before we get into this major discussion, let's take one moment and look at who is on this page. Irid. Specifically the male directly in front of Violet. This is the one who asks Andarna to tell her tale. There is a female to his right named Dason, and then another male to her right. Then there's a female to the left of the middle dragon whose voice is as snappy as a school teacher's and whose scales flicker to green. She's got a lot of questions to ask, and she's also got a lot of judgment to back up those questions. Then there's another male whose horns are similar to Andarna's to her left. We will come to learn that this is Leothen. Fun fact, the name Leothen is of Irish origin, derived from the Irish word word liahin, which means gray in English. Don't really know what that could symbolize, but I think we're gonna find out more in book four. And then there's another unnamed Irid who is just not really shared about. We don't know if they're on the left or the right.
- [91:06]
Lexi
I love how Taryn goes into full Protective girl dad mode. It's not surprising whatsoever. These six dragons are completely unknown, unpredictable and staring down Violet. Taryn claims Violet as his human and threateningly swings his Morningstar tail and snaps his teeth at the Irids to warn them not to fuck with his bonded.
- [91:24]
Nicole
Together, these six IRIDs are wanting to talk to Andarna. She is the criterion after all. They've probably been waiting hundreds of years to see if this quote unquote experiment worked. More on this in a moment. Hey, we've been wanting to talk to you is music to Andarna's ears. Since the beginning of this book she has been holding her kind on a sort of pedestal, believing that if they will be everything she wants them to be and multiple her family, who will see her as one of their own. But that begins to go a little sideways when the sassy schoolteacher voice reels back with a what have you done with your tail? Andarna is a scorpion tail. Her tail manifested out of need and choice. Back in Iron Flame, Rebecca has said.
- [92:06]
Lexi
That Andarna has a scorpion tail because Violet was poisoned by the venom's green tipped dagger and almost died from these injuries. So it's my understanding that poison reason was top of mind for Andarna as she entered her fitful dreamless sleep.
- [92:18]
Nicole
I love that Andarna's tail manifested because of Violet, and Violet's second signet manifested because she needed to be Darna. This being one of the common dragon tales Dragon tales, Sword, Dagger, Club, Morningstar and Scorpion and Darn is like nothing. I chose this tale. When the dragons go through their dreamless sleep and transition from juvenile to adolescent, they choose their tale based on what they they need. Because these dragons are training for war, they all morph into a weapon tail to better help them in battle, as we've seen demonstrated on the page multiple times in Badass Manners. But this is where without knowing, things do go downhill. Violet peaks around the Irid's tails and they're all feather tails, even though none of them are juveniles anymore. Because these Irids have no needs for the weapons that Tails are on the continent.
- [93:08]
Lexi
Continent Assuming that these Irids are at least one generation after the Irids from the Great War, I'm assuming that the Great wars generation of Irids did not pass down this information that the other dragons have weapons for tails. It also makes me wonder if the other dragons only manifested these weapons for tails during the Great War or after their kind started bonding humans. This also concerns me about what other knowledge from the Great War. The Irids did not pass down to future generations.
- [93:37]
Nicole
Like how to cure Venon, maybe. And I did not think about any of this. But I think it all boils down to the question, how long do Irids live? Because they are magic. I can't help but think about Venon too. They have a lot of magic within them. They live longer. So because Irids are magic, do they live longer than the other dragons? But alas, we do not know. Seeing that one of their own, Andarna, has chosen a tail that is a weapon. This is an immediate tell that things have not changed since the Irids left the continent.
- [94:08]
Lexi
We will come to learn what these Irids believe and subsequently, how they bestow judgment. Their breed is born for peace, not violence. Like others, like the other dragon breeds, they do not believe in fighting and hold the concept of peace in the highest esteem. They abhor war and weapons. It was this horror that they fled from 600 years ago, which, I'll be honest, I did not have this mindset on my bingo card from the Easter spirits. It also makes so much sense because one of the big, I'll say complaints about Fourth Wing was how violent it was and how much unnecessary killing there is. And it kind of came back to bite them when the flyers were introduced to the story in Iron Flame. And we talked a lot about that during our deep dive of Iron Flame. But now we see it from a dragon perspective where they're really judging these humans because they don't believe that it's necessary when they're within these wars. There is peace to be had. And again, just creating such a contrast from what Rebecca set us up to understand, as normal in Fourth Wing and as noble as this peaceful perspective is, it illustrates that life is not so black and white. The Irids only believe in peace, but like Andarna, will soon press what happens when that peace is threatened. The IRDs judge that quest Squad is seeking victory instead of peace. But if peace is threatened, isn't victory necessary to have it at all? As Andarna will say to them, they have the privilege to only focus on peace, not how it is won or earned or fought for. Because peace is exactly what Bor Meal and Navarre have been fighting for recently together. Okay, Navarre might have an asterisk next to it, but you get my point. Everyone wants peace, but how is that possible when Venon are invading and attacking and killing? The irony is that peace in the situation can only be achieved by fighting against evil and standing up for what is right. I'll even argue that Violet and Them they're trying to find the cure to Venin now, while for her it's obviously for Xaden. But Riddick will say too where it's like, well our whole defeat them by curing them is not going to work out. That is a version of trying a peaceful approach rather than just killing all the venom.
- [96:07]
Nicole
Well, and we'll learn that the Irids are willing to sit back and watch the Venin take over everything in the land, drain both the land and the people drive try to eventually have peace. It is so lazy and passive is what I look at it versus Navarro and Quest Squads fight for peace now.
- [96:26]
Lexi
As far as we know, they have lived in peace and harmony for the past 600 years with no threats to their way of life or interruption in this peace they preach and firmly believe is the only way of life. Leading Andara to eventually say the iconic line quote, you preach peace while only having known its privilege. It's one of my favorite lines of this entire book and I have repeated it multiple times. I'm sure I will continue doing so too. In other words, what would the Irids do if their way of life, their very existence, was threatened if peace was ripped away from them?
- [96:55]
Nicole
I do also want to point out from what it sounds, the Irids live on an aisle where it is only their kind. It is an entirely like minded society that they are not willing to let others who have a different way of thinking come in and disrupt the bubble that they have found for themselves.
- [97:11]
Lexi
The Earths ask Andarna what they've done to her and what has led her to choose this weapon for a tale. What they're not outright asking and what they're really judging here is the state of the civilization they left Andarna behind as a criterion to see if humans have evolved into a peaceful society. And this isn't off to a good start with Andarna choosing a weapon for a tail. So let's hear the story so they can pass judgment. Story time everybody. Hey, let's all sit down and listen closely. And Darna, however, is too caught up in her excitement of finally finding her family that she believes these questions are out of curiosity instead of judgment. So she launches into her full story, starting with the years she blinked in and out of consciousness in her shell. I can only imagine how much she has rehearsed this interaction in her head, and how happy she is to share her story with her family, catch them up on her as she seeks acceptance, support and connection with them. Like all this flying that they've been doing. I bet she's just been practicing this in her head.
- [98:09]
Nicole
The fact that we don't get every minute of Andarna's story all from her perspective, is just criminal. I want every second. I don't care if it's multi hour story time. I want all of it.
- [98:23]
Lexi
All I picture is Andarna like Toothless acting this out as if she's Olaf from Frozen 2.
- [98:28]
Nicole
Like, you know that I can't remember which how to Train youn Dragon. But it's when Toothless is flirting with the other dragon and he like has his wings all tucked up and he's like prancing around.
- [98:38]
Lexi
Yes.
- [98:38]
Nicole
And Hiccup is just like.
- [98:40]
Lexi
Yeah, exactly, exactly.
- [98:42]
Nicole
Now I have a quick question, because there's the school teacher voice dragon who asks why she would participate in Harvest. It's interesting that they call it Harvest, which is what the Griffin flyers call their bonding. Why would they call it Harvest versus threshing?
- [98:57]
Lexi
So that's a good question. And it led me to look up the definition of threshing. And it means to say separate seed from a harvested plant, which is pretty much what the dragons do with the humans on threshing. They separate the riders from the cadets who, well, don't become riders. So it's kind of like the more violent dragon version of Harvest that's evolved after the Irids left. I can accept that, as I can think of it.
- [99:19]
Nicole
Yeah, yeah.
- [99:19]
Lexi
When Andarna gets to the part about how she used her gift of stopping time to save Violet from the unbondeds attacking her last year. The Irids are extra generous judgy. And that's saying something since they are very judgy through this whole thing. One of the females clarifies you use your juvenile gift for a human. And Andarna pushes back for my human. She is part of me, as I am of her. You undervalue our connection. This is major foreshadowing for when one of these Iris Leothen will treat the dragon and rider bond so casually and how it can be broken. They haven't bonded with humans, but because they are magic, they actually all knowing in this department. But the truth is, Irids don't understand the bond and the deep connection between dragon and rider. Which leads me to believe Andarna and Violet's bond won't be fully severed. Even though it seems like it is. And it's foreshadowing that deep down Andarna knows her bond with Violet is far more important than the Irides could ever fathom or give them credit for. So while she'll leave with them because she is lured to be with her family and to learn from them, her love and connection with Violet will bring her back. And it can't possibly be fully severed, because that's not really how their bond works, no matter what the Irids say.
- [100:26]
Nicole
Well, and hence why Violet can still dreamwalk when she is no longer bonded to Andarna. Also, Mira asks Violet, how did you supplement the loss of magic? And Violet's like, I don't know what you're talking about. And I think that's because she didn't need to, because Andarna wasn't fully gone. And yes, Taryn did help her a lot in that department, but I don't think she needed to, because that wasn't fully depleted.
- [100:47]
Lexi
I absolutely agree with you. I think that her bonding and Irid there are a lot more layers to it than we know right now. I also am going to throw it back out there, where Andarna did channel her gift of time stopping into her. And while I don't think that gift is still there, I think there might be an extra layer of connection between them, because Andarna did give her direct dragon power to Violet at one point.
- [101:09]
Nicole
Well, and I think it also is just calling back to all those moments where Violet is. You know, she's reading, laying on Andarna. She's. She goes to Indana after, in Fourth Wing, when she learns that Mira is okay, she goes to the one place she knows she's safe, which is in Darna's arms. Quote, unquote.
- [101:24]
Lexi
Yeah.
- [101:25]
Nicole
And I think it. I think all of that has been priming us for this moment where their bond cannot be severed.
- [101:30]
Lexi
As Andarna continues her story, she shares how Violet channeled her power in battle. And that's an extra, extra big no, no for these. This is already the reason juvenile dragon Feathertails and Navarre are kept secret. To prevent humans from taking advantage of their power. And while we readers know Violet is different, the Irids don't have that context. So as far as they're concerned, this is exactly what dragons a human using a young dragon's powers as a weapon for their own violent gain.
- [101:59]
Nicole
It genuinely breaks my heart how much Andarna is clearly trying to make them believe that she is the most dragon of dragons. She's telling the story in a way that highlights her ferocity and her ruthlessness that Nevarian dragons prize above all else. I 100% think you're right that she's been practicing this speech which kills me. But as Violet says, it's not going as well as Indarna believes, because she thinks she's presenting the story in a way that would make them proud of her and overjoyed to accept her. But it turns out it's quite the opposite. By the time Indarna's story comes to a close hours later, the Irids are eerily silent. And they share that they need a moment to speak. Just the six of them. That's not a very good sign. What's a worse sign? After a few moments, three of the IRIDs launch into the sky and leave, essentially signaling, yeah, this isn't worth our time. This is a lost cause. But three do stay and return to the group to give them their thoughts. The ones that stayed are Leothen, the female to the right, Dason, and the one from the center who scared the shit out of Violet, meaning the school teacher, the male on the right, who barely really said anything, and the one who said nothing at all, all left. The tell all question from Andarna floods out of her. Did she pass the test? Is she fit to go visit her family's den? After the 600 years of waiting, is she finally welcomed to her family? And the answer is not quite what she expected. Because Andarna was never the one being tested. If she passed or failed, it was Violet. And without even knowing she failed. Capital F. Violet is not someone who really takes failure sitting down. She's rarely failed in her life, and each time she did, she was able to pick herself back up and keep going. We saw this predominantly last book with the Wartstone and Iron Flame, but this is different. Those moments were in her control and the pass fail lay solely on her shoulders. But now she is being tested for the entirety of the human race.
- [104:01]
Lexi
Violet has already felt shame and guilt for this war's consequences directly impacting Nandarna. And now here are some of her worst inner thoughts on full display, echoing back to her. That yes, she has failed her dragon and she is to blame.
- [104:14]
Nicole
And the consequence of her possibly failing this mission equals the entire continent losing the war against the Valley, Lenin and her losing Xaden. Like this is her worst nightmare coming to pass.
- [104:24]
Lexi
As the Irides explain, Andarna was left behind as the criterion. She was the measurement of the human's growth from 600 years ago. The indication of whether society could choose tranquility and harmony with all living things. Assumably after the Great War, the eras explained that they hoped the ear they left behind and Darna would return to her kind and share that humans had evolved. That they had evolved, blossomed under the Wardstone, and no longer used magic as a weapon. So much to unpack with this. But real quickly, they say Wardstones, plural. Does this mean that the Eretian War Stone, or even a different one that we don't know about yet, once had fully active wards? But perhaps soon after the Irids left, it was deactivated somehow, someway, whether by a Venin attack or something else. However, According to Chapter 7's episode graph from Lyra's journal quote, all who channel from dragon and griffin alike should flourish under the wards. And now Orisha will be that haven, should one of the others ever return. This makes it seem like the oration Wardstone was not lit by an Irid, so therefore it never was lit. Just something I noticed.
- [105:27]
Nicole
You're a genius. Oh my God. I saw this in the outline and my jaw was like on the floor. You're so smart. After leaving 600 years ago, the Irids hoped that humans under the solace of the wards would put behind their bloodthirsty needs and instead find tranquility and harmony in all living things and put down their swords as a result, both metaphorically and literally. And not only because all humans still use major air quotes there dragons as an instrument of warfare, but also because Violet apparently took advantage of an Irid's youth and made Andarna into exactly that, a weapon. When Irids are born for peace, not violence, that means not only are you still violent, but you are also manipulating those who are supposed to bring peace into violence. With the knowledge that we have as readers, this is a wildly unfair assessment. No, Violet did not take advantage of Andarna. Everything Andarna did, she chose for herself. Sometimes against Violet and Taran's wishes, but also the entire human race is being judged in a single moment for not laying down in the face of danger. They don't have the privilege of tranquility that the Irid speak of because they live under constant threat of being drained by a Venin.
- [106:42]
Lexi
So yes, I absolutely agree with you with all of that. And it's interesting because if we take the last, I'll call it 50 years out of the equation, Navarre and poor Emile have been fighting with each other. And from Navarre's propaganda standpoint point, they are trying to be peaceful. But it's poor Emile who keeps attacking them, who keeps trying to get to their borders and all of that. And even though there is a whole reason behind all of that, Navarre is technically in their own way, laying down and refusing to acknowledge the real problem that is their concept of peace. And guess where it has led them to this. So it's. There's no possible way for anybody to win. It is all a big lose lose situation. And again, the Iridescent have the privilege of not even being able to fathom such consequences for their own kind.
- [107:32]
Nicole
Well, it again goes back to the root of the problem here. It's the Venin and their choices that they've made as Venin to attack and seek more power. And through that means a lot of killing and draining of people. So Navarre and I'll just say Quest Squad right now is blamed for the choices that the Venin have made. And these the humans natural human instinct to want to survive. The humans are not fully to blame here because the Irids turn their attention to pass judgment on the dragons who gift their humans with powers that are used for danger. Before we get into the incredibly ominous line about Violet Signet from Endarda, Riddick mentions how, quote, that's not how signets work. And he's right. Dragons don't gift humans with powers unless you're Violet and you got the gift of time from Indarna last year, but that is no longer a thing, at least as far as we know. This line seems really suspicious to me because they're not talking to Violet in referring to the Andarna situation. They're talking about all signets that are currently in the present of so Ice Lightning and you know, Violet's second signet, which they refer to very ominously, which I'll get to in a second, because they don't know how it it works since they've never been bonded. It's again, going back to what you were saying earlier about how they believe they are all knowing, when in actuality they have a lot of knowledge gaps in this situation. How interesting. The wording around gift here though, feels very specific to me. Do you think this is foreshadowing for the dragons to, I'm going to call it, gift their humans with the additional power so that they have that extra power in the final book slash battle? Because remember, all dragons have a baby gift, and then they have an adult gift that is completely separate from Signet. So we don't even know what Taryn's power is.
- [109:20]
Lexi
Yeah, I'm still confused about how all of that works, because I feel like we would have seen it by now with Taryn. So I wonder if it's just a different way that they draw upon power and when they're babies. It is an actual specific power. I don't know yet, but to answer your question, I'm kind of leaning no, only based on what Rebecca has said about needing to check power. And I think about this being another demonstration of the era is just not understanding how bonds and signets work. I feel like it would potentially cheapen Violet's whole hero's journey and all of that if she just gets Taryn's power to then channel through and kind of like have that extra boost to beat the Big Bad. I like to think that there will be more creative ways, especially just with what Rebecca has said about needing to make sure there are limitations on people's powers here. But what you're saying about this being another demonstration of the ear is not understanding how bonds and signets work. I think that's absolutely true. They view this whole dragon and rider relationship as very transactional, whereas there's actually so many more layers and complexities of magic at work. And I think back to the Great War and it was initially pretty transactional. The humans and the dragons, dragons agreed to bond with one another so that they could each help their respective societies. Right. And so that kind of seems to be the Irid still focus when There has been 600 years since then of evolution. And again, all of this is foreshadowing for after Andarna breaking the bond. And Violet will still be able to use her second signet because there is so much unknown about these bonds, especially that the Irides don't know.
- [110:50]
Nicole
Interesting, because I actually think that this is absolutely foreshadowing for a future battle. I don't think we would have gotten the very subtle information about dragons as adults having a dragon gift and then never having it come back into play. So I definitely think this will come into play in a future book. I hope it's. I don't see it being like a deus ex machina kind of moment at all at all. But I do see it having some kind of extra all right, let's get into the line that is spoken by the male dragon from the center which just caused us all to spiral quote. And you, our very hope, have handed this human something far more dangerous to wield, haven't you? Oh my God. So many questions here. First, hearing this line before we knew Violet's second signet was heart stopping, I remember you and I both looked at each other and like our souls left our bodies.
- [111:46]
Lexi
I remember that so vividly. I fully expected her second signet reveal to be the next chapter. Like I was Mentally preparing myself. It was so exciting. But I actually kind of love how Rebecca just dangled this in front of us. This was the moment also that I will admit that I was like, well, shit, I think Nicole might be right about her being an intense.
- [112:05]
Nicole
This was the moment that I was.
- [112:06]
Lexi
Like description about that.
- [112:07]
Nicole
This was the moment that I was like, oh, shit, I think I'm right. I got so smug. And then it all crumbled and fell in a few chapters. But let's get into the high level of this emphasis on the high level, because in two episodes we're about to go deep in this. We will learn that Violet's second signet from Andarna is dream walking, quote unquote, which is a type of intrinsic and therefore very dangerous. Especially given that Violet could walk into anyone's dreams and meddle her little heart out.
- [112:38]
Lexi
Yes. And when people are sleeping, they cannot have their ship shields up. So that is what makes it extra dangerous, is that people's shields don't matter for Violet signet, which is completely unheard of. And also, friends, in case you did not listen to our romantic book con live show recording, I let the audience decide whether this dreamwalking counts as Nicole winning the bet. And the resounding answer was, yes, it does count. So we have changed the answer and Nicole does win this bet, even though she did say that she did not think it was dreamwalking. But you know what? Shout out to my husband, who cheered super duper loud for it, not counting that is my supportive partner right there because he knew how passionately I felt about this.
- [113:18]
Nicole
Shout out to every other person in the room who very, very passionately agreed with me. Thank you very much. When we think about something that is much more dangerous than wielding pure power, it feels like walking into people's minds via dreaming doesn't quite cover that category. We know, however, from Rebecca Yarrows, that we've only seen seen 10% of Violet's second signet. And while we're not going to get too far into it because again, in two episodes, we are going to be going balls deep into this theory, it is this line from the middle era that makes many of us believe that this is not simply just dreamwalking, but instead it might be something along the lines of mind walking. But like I said, we're not getting there yet. We will cover that in two episodes when we get the full, at least the 10%, download a violet second signet. Wrapping this up, though, I gotta say, poor Violet, because she was convinced that she didn't have a second signet from Indarna and this type of info drop would have been the biggest mind fuck and it would have felt so much like you know more about me than I do. Like it's not really helping the whole Irides chill your egos but in all.
- [114:24]
Lexi
This conversation between Andarna's riveting story and the Irid's judgment, there is the big reason Quest Squad has been searching for the seventh Dragon Den quote that's why we're here, to ask if you'll come home to fight with us, to see if the knowledge was passed down of how the Venin were defeated during the Great War, or if you know how to cure them. Real quickly here. I love how Indarna calls it home. She's actually corrected herself several times on calling it the Continent, but here she does say home when she's fighting passionately in defense for it. However, this call for help does not sway the Irids in the slightest. All they are willing to focus on is how the society has failed, and in Darna, being a weapon that Violet has essentially wielded and taken advantage of is proof of that.
- [115:04]
Nicole
The reason the Irids won't come to their aid truly boils down to the one sentence we've been harping on for the past 30 minutes. It is not peace you seek, but victory. To the Irids, those are two different things, whereas to our Squad it is one and the same. But quite frankly, the Irids don't give a flying fuck. They have been detached from this world with the threat of the Vennon for over 600 years, and because they aren't living in it, it is an abstract threat to them, not a real one. They also chose to leave before, or their ancestors did. Again, we don't know how long Irides live, so if anything, they are continuing the plan that has been 600 years in motion. Leave the continent alone and continue to live on our isle of peace. They have no ties to the continent now that Andarna is being woefully rejected. And why would they help this nonstop war machine that is the human race? If they come to help, are they any better than the dragons who the humans use for warfare? They value peace above all else, and by going back to war, that would be putting their values to the side. So the tldr of this not their circus, not their monkeys. So have fun dying off. Because quite frankly, fighting for them didn't work 600 years ago, so why would it work now?
- [116:18]
Lexi
The Irids even go a step Further, by saying perhaps the people should die because they are inclined, capable of living in peace. As far as the Irids are concerned, humans had their chance and look how little they've learned. Maybe civilization deserves a clean slate. Where the Venin take over the land. Then, when the Venin are faced with starvation, one of two things will happen. Number one, they'll die off and the land will regenerate. Or number two, the Venin will confront the evils they have become and change. This conversation is so fucking meta. Oh, my goodness. But I. Ah. There's a key word. The Venin may be able to change. This is exactly talk of a cure that Violet had been hoping for. So Andarna presses the Irids on how venom may be able to change if the answer to the cure is evolving.
- [117:02]
Nicole
We gotta talk about this. First, I want to address how this does prove how little the Irids know about the Venin. If they believe offspring outlive the Venin, they do not know the immortality of assuming the higher level Venin. But let's run with this for a moment. What if 2 venin created a Venin spawn and it is a full Venon from birth? But then again, this Irid argument is not effective because it would only be able to survive by pulling from the source. But that wouldn't fix things because they would continue until the continent was drained. And then they need to find more options, like, for instance, going to the isles and draining the humans on the island. So if anything, it's just continuing on the pattern. What if a Venin and a human have a baby together? And I will go ahead and say that there is a theory that this human Venin hybrid is actually Dane, and that's why he has such a well of power. He looks so you have fun theory pasted all over your face. So, for example, Daddy Atos is a Venin. Mama Aetos wasn't. Isn't a venom. Therefore she's human. They made Dane, who is human, but with the venom Venin well of power. I'm not gonna lie. I love this theory.
- [118:18]
Lexi
Tell you what, this is a more likely theory than some of the other ones I've heard you talk about today alone. I know that there's another very popular theory that Lilith was a Venin, and all sorts of theories that stem from that, but that Violet is still part Venom. This theory was very popular with why her hair was silver. And now that we know that's because of Dune, there is still a lot of theories that surround it. Anyway, I think that this is A lot more likely than to Venon having a baby.
- [118:44]
Nicole
But this is the only option. I could see that the Irids are saying as like, oh, this could cure the entire. This could lead to eventual peace. Da da da da da. This is the only way I could see working. The child would have a huge well of power and be able to rise up against the Venin previous generation. Again, it doesn't really solve the whole situation since it would be provoked by violence in the first place. So all of this to say this again is showing just how this is not our problem. The Irids are acting. The offspring evolving is not really an option because of how long Venin live and how the offspring would most likely follow in their parents footsteps at least a decent amount. Again, psychologically speaking. I just. I'm fucking furious at the for even saying this is an option when it just shows their ignorance and how little they give a fuck about helping. I also want to point out that some people think that this like confront your inner demons and choose change that the ears are also talking about could be foreshadowing. We've discussed how this could be. We'll call it a Voldemort situation. When you feel true remorse for what you've done, you can put your soul back together. And I'm not ruling it out, but I'll just say I don't see Jack fucking Barlow choosing this option.
- [120:00]
Lexi
However, when outright asked whether evolving is the cure to Venin, one of the female Irides responds, there is no cure. Through the pages I can hear the wind go out of Violet as if she's punched in the gut. Finding a cure for Zading has been her number one goal for months now. And she has risked everything for every last possibility to discover the cure. All the research, gaining access to books, traveling to the aisles. And so far it's been dead end after dead end. The ears have been her last hope and the one Sheen and Darna have been counting on the most. But apparently no. Because according to the Irids, who are magic, it's not possible to have a cure. The female explains that it isn't a trade of the souls. The soul is not kept by the Earth. No, no. Instead, this power exchange kills the soul one piece at a time. You cannot cure what is killed and no longer in existence.
- [120:49]
Nicole
Also, I can't help but think of there is no cure, there is only control. Because we've heard that sentence before. So in my opinion this really does come down to a question. And that is, do you believe what Dyson is saying? Here she mentions how the pieces of the Dark Wielder's soul that they trade is considered dead, and quote, death has no cure, does it? If. If Naolin fully resurrected Brennan, then technically death would have a cure. So I'm actually gonna rephrase the question. Does resurrecting a soul work as the vetting cure?
- [121:22]
Lexi
Think that's what I'm leaning towards.
- [121:24]
Nicole
Me too.
- [121:24]
Lexi
And it makes me wonder more and more if Malak, the God of Death, will play a role role in the storyline, or at minimum, the Goddess of love. To answer your question, I believe the Irids think they are telling the truth. They seem to know more about the Venin than others, which in and of itself seems to be proof that they were vital in defeating them during the Great War. It also makes me very curious if this is a future generation from the Irids who were in the Great War, which is what I'm kind of leaning toward, but maybe it was like their parent generation. So these Irids do live longer, but not quite as long as, you know, 600 years. They. They have passed this information down, at least some of it.
- [121:57]
Nicole
Right.
- [121:58]
Lexi
But these Irids are not all knowing. We can already gather that by what they perceive as truth about bonds and signets, which is wrong. So I would take everything they have to say, including this about the Venin, with a grain of salt. Death has no cure that we know of.
- [122:13]
Nicole
That that we know of is doing a lot of heavy lifting, given how much foreshadowing there has been since book one around resurrection. And most of this foreshadowing shadowing involves Naolan or is around Naolin. Conversation from Chapter 8 of 4th Wing in Professor Kaori's class. Quote, he attempted to use that power to revive a fallen rider, which didn't work because there is no Signet capable of resurrection, and he depleted himself in the process. Then again, in that chapter, Violet says, quote, resurrection is impossible. You know what else is mentioned not being possible in that exact chapter? Chapter being a Precog again, I wonder what would happen if someone has the signet power of both mending and siphoning. It seems like a pretty good resurrection power to me, Sloan.
- [123:04]
Lexi
Well, let's go back to the other part of Quest Squad's request to the Irids. Don't they know how the Dark Wielders were defeated in the Great War? Remember back at the beginning of Iron Flame when Brennan said that there was a weapon that defeated the Venon 600 years ago, and they're actively searching for it since Andarna was uniquely able to burn a Venin. We and our characters have strongly wondered if the Irids are the weapon. And when this question about defeating the Dark Wielders is asked several times throughout this Irid encounter, not once do they give a direct answer. They say that apparently the Dark Wielders weren't actually defeated. If they're here asking, which is so rude. And again a non answer.
- [123:43]
Nicole
And again it goes goes back to that, well, we, you know, helped before and it didn't work, so why help again when we'll be here in another 600 years?
- [123:51]
Lexi
I will say I don't think that this indeed is ever going to be super peaceful because that is not human nature. It's always seeking peace. And then when it's there, there's always other problems to come up with because it's not black and white, right? It's ah, so, so layered. So layered. And then when Andarna follows up asking if the Irides are the key to defeating the Venin, the tallest male Irid calls them hopeless. Leaving all of us still in limbo about whether the Irids are the key to defeating the Venin. They are. I am still absolutely, maybe more than so than ever, willing to die on that hill that they are. And the fact that they refuse to answer that question and redirect the conversation is proof because as we've discussed, the Irids do not deem the society worthy of help. So why would they even answer answer this question when they've made up their minds that they won't help? Bravo, Rebecca, for coyly avoiding this answer multiple times.
- [124:43]
Nicole
It seems like no common ground will be found between these two parties. So when Darna being deemed Irid in name and scale only, she will not be accepted into their kind. This really makes me wonder what kind of magic Leothen had to pull back at AIEL Irid to make sure that he could go get Indarna later on in this book. Like how on earth?
- [125:07]
Lexi
I don't think he did. I don't think he did.
- [125:08]
Nicole
You think he went against them?
- [125:10]
Lexi
Yeah, I think he kind of went a little rogue because he said how it'll take several years for them to accept her and understand why he brought her here. But yeah, I don't know if they know.
- [125:20]
Nicole
Interesting. I assumed they knew, but they were like, go do your thing, Leo then. But like they had to have some element of talk about it right now. This moment is just tragic for Andar Darna. Have I mentioned for 600 years and Darna was alone in her Egg, she was already left behind by a family she didn't know. She has never felt part of something, so she constantly tried to blend in. And especially when she found solace and a mentor in Tarin, she lived basically all of Iron Flame in her Black scale form because she wanted to be like Taryn, what we've known since 4th Wing, when she said, quote, it's hard to love a second home as much as a first that her heart has always missed a piece. And she believed it would be with her kind who this entire book she called family. Despite that 600 years of disconnection, she viewed them truly as that family. Ones who would accept her and she would accept them. And now that hope that she's held for them is just being thrown back in her face as they say the words, we cannot accept you. This was not even a possibility in her mind, even though Taran wanted to prepare her for this possible outcome. Being ever the adolescent, she throws it in the ear face with a quote, I wish I'd never met you, trying to make them feel the same heartbreak that she's experiencing. But the reality is they were curious about her, not holding out for her in the same way she was holding out for them. So now she is facing a rejection that she did not know she was holding her breath for 600 years to not have to face. I'm furious for Andarna.
- [126:51]
Lexi
I know.
- [126:52]
Nicole
Well.
- [126:53]
Lexi
And so I believe one of those Irids then takes off, leaving two of the Irids behind. Because they do still have a few more questions. Questions they haven't completely written Andarna off yet. One of these dragons includes Leothan, who we will come to assume is a direct ancestor of Andarna's. The other is Dasan. It doesn't quite sit right with them, how quick the others have been to judge Andarna. Especially because they understand it's not her fault that she is the way she is. She's a product of her environment and maybe she shouldn't be punished for that. Yes, I agree. So they want to ask some more clarification questions and come to their own conclusions before jumping to such hard line judgment.
- [127:30]
Nicole
But wait, because as the Irids allow Zaden and Garrick into the group chat with a slide whistle treatment, Jason recoils. How could you align yourselves with this abomination? Well, on a stick, when letting Xaden into the group chat, call his irises glow red and oh, they know he's a Venice. How did this happen? Though he didn't channel from the source, my best Guess is that because Irids are magic, and when letting magic into someone, it causes their eyes to go red. But why doesn't this happen? Like with his eyes going red when Sigale channels power into him? I wonder if it's because Irids are pure magic, so it's more intense and more like it is from the source because Venon channel raw magic from the earth. And maybe one of the reasons Irids are magic is because they channel pure magic from the sky. It also might be one of the reasons that they're a sky blue color. So basically, when you channel magic from an unlimited magic source like the earth or the sky, that activates the venom. While we're on the topic of Irids channeling from the sky, Emily's theories on Instagram has probably one of my favorite theories we've seen, Adamic Storm. I'll link the full Instagram theory in the show notes. So I'm just going to do a really abbreviated version of this one. Here she talks about how the Irids do not obtain magic from the ground like the other dragons, but instead channel from the sky. Magic likes all things in balance. After all, this is why Violet specifically develops lightning and it allows her to kill Venon since she has access to the sky's power. It's also why I Indarna's flames can kill Venon. It's all a matter of the original source of the magic. Also, and this is what made me go wow. Is that in the Fables of the Baron, which many people, including us, believe was was written by Papa Sorrengale, one of the stories in the Fables of the Baron warns about, quote, the dangers of wielding from the ground instead of the skies. At the time, it's sounding like it's warning against channeling from the ground like the Venon would versus the sky, which is where dragons fly in the sky. But what if it literally was wielding power from the sky? This also might be why Theophany wants the Irids if they have more unlimited magical soars from the sky. If the venom drained the ground, that part is tapped. But what if a dragon with the magic of the sky, would it be the same? Or would it just be again that unlimited? So this theory boils down to a question that Emily poses. Will the OG dragon breeds return to wielding from the sky by the end of the series? And then would they have a more unlimited magical source and writers might not have to worry about burnout? Sounds pretty good to me.
- [130:14]
Lexi
Do you think that means that Violet would not not experience Burnout if she's wielding her dreamwalking. Interesting, because within.
- [130:21]
Nicole
Darn it. Within Darna being magic, if she does burn out, I think it would have to take a lot versus with Tarin. It does take a lot, but it's nowhere near the same amount.
- [130:32]
Lexi
Yeah, yeah, I never thought about that before. Whatever the reason for Zaden's eyes going red for a few moments, this is the nail in the coffin for these two last remaining Irids. These humans and Andarna have aligned themselves with a Venin and they want absolutely no part in this abomination. I'll be honest, without all the context we readers have, I don't blame the Irides. This is the only time I am saying this about them. I'm assuming they left the continent in large part to escape any threat of the Venom. If I had to guess, they defeated them and then everybody else with all their weapons and rah rah, rah, they're just like, we don't want anything to do with this. We just want to go live our happy little lives in peace. Away from Venin, away from you. Goodbye. And here is one right in front of them. Teamed up with the very people trying to get the Irids on their side. This potential alliance was already hanging on by half a thread, like a. Like a thread of a thread. And now it's gone, along with their last hope. As these two Irids fade into the environment and take flight. And refusal to continue this conversation, feeling.
- [131:32]
Nicole
A bone splitting agony. And Darna shifts her scales to black, a color she feels like she's part of something. Being tarn. And then to gold, her color of innocence. The color where apparently everything went wrong. And it's so sad. It's as if she is going back in time to a time where she could fix it all. And then she retreats into the forest and Darna, you asshats for making my girl feel this way. I hate you.
- [131:58]
Lexi
Fast forward a little bit. Violet makes the executive decision that there is no point in flying for Lois on. Now the two reasons they are going to these isles is to ally and bring armies to the continent to assist with the fighting and to search for the Irids. Well, they found the Irids and that didn't work out like they hoped. And Loisam does not have an army, so while they can establish a diplomatic tie, the Isle can't possibly help them win the war. And while this is a logical decision, and one I probably would have come to as well, especially for how emotionally beat up this quest squad is after traitor year's death. And now that you're at its rejection, I can't help but wonder what Loisom has to offer that they might be missing out on. Chapter 49's epigraph says while most deities allow temple attendants to choose their timeline of service, only two require a lifetime of dedication. Dune and loyal. For both war and love change souls irrevocably. I can't say that word, everybody. I'm sorry. I've been trying here for five minutes.
- [132:53]
Nicole
And I can't do it.
- [132:54]
Lexi
You know what word I'm trying to say?
- [132:55]
Nicole
The word is irrevocably.
- [132:58]
Lexi
Thank you. We really don't know much about loyal, but with this epigraph's reference to love changing the soul. Nicole, can you say this word again?
- [133:06]
Nicole
Irrevocably?
- [133:08]
Lexi
Yes. That and what we know about Venin losing their souls and Zaden saying that Violet owns his soul. It feels like there might be some answers on Lom that the plot is purposefully steering us away from and withholding from. For now, I definitely think we have not heard the last of Loisom, and I even wonder if we'll visit there. I'm also wondering if Papa Sorngail's research on that isle holds a key piece of information about love and souls that can help Violet connect the dots to the cure. And Violet doesn't recognize it for what it is when she's reading it, but it'll dawn on her when she visits there, or another piece to the puzzle will come into play. And side note, I really do wonder what their trial involves, but perhaps they have to prove their love for someone.
- [133:48]
Nicole
Which how freaking poetic would it be for her to have to go there and prove her love for someone after Zaden leaves? Not to harp on the mates thing, but if there is a situation where she finds out they are on mates level, or even it might be a different word for humans, we don't know. I would see that happening on Lois.
- [134:07]
Lexi
Also. Also, does Lois have magic if it's closer to Zna, since that was going to be their next stop, I kind of wonder if it does have magic. Although he Dot has had the least amount of magic, so distance is not really a good indicator.
- [134:19]
Nicole
I might go with yes, because I don't know. Love. Love is a magic in itself, you know.
- [134:24]
Lexi
I like to think so too. Yes. Yes.
- [134:26]
Nicole
With no point in going to the other aisles, I guess it's time to go home. So. Court martials for all. Not only are they returning after directly disobeying orders, and with what One less cadet. It's also with the worst news they could have possibly imagined returning with. They were counting on nullifying any repercussions with a hey, look what we found. The Irids. Well, they found the Irids and failed in convincing them to come back to help. Luckily, King Tari will step in and make it so that they have no punishment. Since he's so happy to have Riddick back in his life after being missing for like half a year. Which does piss EITOs off to no end and a lot of the fans. However, this is not. Not to say nothing happens. The crew is interrogated endlessly and in two separate categories. The flyers are interrogated and they learn some very specific information and the writers are interrogated and they don't learn that information. But we will cover that next episode. We have enough this episode.
- [135:25]
Lexi
But you know how Xaden's eyes were temporarily red revealing that he's a Venin? Yeah, that had some big consequences. Beyond the Irids now completely refusing to have anything to do with them. Riddick saw during the scene it was only Riddick, Violet, Garak and Zaden on this isle. So now Riddick knows that Zaden is Venon. He patiently, not so patiently, waited to get the full story from Violet after the others in their group begin returning. Like Mira and Auric, who still do not know that he is Venon. Or at least Meera definitely doesn't know. We can't be sure about Auric, who has precock. When Riddick and Violet finally venture far enough away and use a sound shield rune that Riddick carries the whole trip, truth tumbles out. And his response? I thought we agreed to tell each other the truth because yeah, Riddick is understandably pissed off that they are in a position of Violet withholding secrets from her closest friends and protectors again. And Violet is all too aware that Riddick was the slowest to forgive her the last time she did not let her friends in on what was actually going on. The trust these second year squad mates have built is supposed to withstand anything. They trust each other with their their lives. So they have to be able to trust each other with secrets too, so they know the whole picture of what they're fighting against together. And here Riddick is so mad because Violet seems incapable of prioritizing her own safety. She's too preoccupied with keeping Zaden and his secret safe that she dismisses her own. Which for her friend who is literally on this mission to watch her back and protect her, is understandably infuriating.
- [136:50]
Nicole
I'm also going to give Violet a tiny, like 10 point font lowercase L here. When she tells Riddick the full story, her only response to his I thought we agreed to tell each other the truth was it wasn't my secret to tell. And she calls it a shitty apology. And Riddick's like, that's not an apology at all. And I agree with him. Violet is so caught up in whatever she can do to save and cure Zaden, really telling her friends wasn't even on her radar. But she was also afraid that, you know, he would be killed as a result. Remember last book? With the guilt of living buried in secrets weighed on her shoulders deeply, she hasn't felt an ounce of that this book, because she's been so focused on cure, cure, cure, to the point that we have not been quiet about where she fully believes that Zaden won't turn fully because he won't keep pulling from the source and therefore he'll stay at his current level of venom.
- [137:44]
Lexi
I also wonder if this is foreshadowing because Violet has several more secrets from her friends. And correct. Like for instance, Zaden is an intensive. That is not her secret to share. I would argue that is one that I can defend her keeping that secret because it technically doesn't impact the others. I mean, you could say it does, but you all know what I mean. And then there's also the fact of her second sickness and what it's going to be. And I could see that being a real dilemma for her, having to keep that secret from her friends and she doesn't want to keep that she shouldn't keep that secret. Or like they start wondering about her second signet from aunt. Or she dreamwalks into a friend's dream and has to explain some stuff because she's able to snap out of it. And they're like, what were you doing in my dream? I don't know. I could see something along these lines and her getting in trouble again with her friends like this. And I kind of am worried about how many times they're going to forgive her, specifically Riddick here.
- [138:39]
Nicole
I am actually going to go on the opposite end of that spectrum and say that she's not the to keep that from them. She learned her lesson from Iron Flame about communicating with Satan. I really hope for character growth's sake that she learns her lesson here about keeping things from Riddick and the rest of her squad, specifically the second years. I understand her not wanting to tell like, Kai or Avalyn and stuff like that.
- [139:03]
Lexi
Oh, absolutely. We're Talking about, like, the core group.
- [139:05]
Nicole
Yeah, I'm talking about Sawyer, Ree, Riddick and Violet. Those four. I think that she next book will tell them about her second signet pretty early.
- [139:14]
Lexi
I could definitely see that. I could see that. I actually hope that too. Yeah. Because they're not going to turn her in. I mean, there is like the whole foreshadowing back at the six talents in Shantara when they were like, well, at least no one's manifesting as an intense. Like, we don't want to have to kill them. And I do think that she is. You're right. She is going to have to tell them. It's going to be really hard for her to have to share that. But I could see it being after she drifted and not like, she has to explain something because they wouldn't fully understand what's going on, but there being a little bit of that extra nudge where it's like, she doesn't have Zaden around anymore. And we also can't forget that only one person can train her signet. And a lot of people do wonder if it's Dain.
- [139:53]
Nicole
Yeah, for sure. I could. Well, and also the foreshadowing about, like, Riddick, where he's about to say Dain hasn't earned the level of I could lean away from the rules enough to know that super top secret information about Zaden being Venon. I think that he would keep Violet's secret of her being a dreamwalker. I agree. Yep. We really see how this focus on cure over reality of the situation. Violet's been living because as she explains to Riddick, that Zaden has channeled three times. Actually, it is four technically, since. But she didn't want to share about that time in her bedroom with the headboard. Riddick really starts to lose his shit. He compares Xaden to Theophany and Jack fucking Barlow. Satisfaction that Zaden sits on a throne in the Scenarium. He's the fucking Duke of Tirandor, and he's bonded to one of the most vicious dragons who we all know that some venom can control their dragons, which this could be foreshadowing if their bond is still in place. But I'm not going to talk about that right now because there's too much else. And I'm not. I'm going to say this. Riddick's not wrong. Yes, he is focusing on this in a very. I'm going to call it black and white way. And I know Violet is horrified that this is all Riddick's sees, but he is being practical. He doesn't have the emotional tie to Xaden that is absolutely giving Violet the rose colored glasses. He's also looking at this as Venin equals evil full stop, which is is good and bad in some ways. But Violet obviously does not see it that way. Zayn isn't evil. He's killed more dark wielders than anyone, and therefore he isn't loyal to them. Also, the reason he turns isn't because he wanted to go Venon and get more power. He did it to save the battle last book. And if he hadn't, they would not have had time to imbue the Wardstone and thus win the battle. And she's not entirely wrong either. Where Zayden is right now, emphasis on right now, he is like this. But again, that possibility of him progressing, Violet's not really seeing that as a possibility. While Riddick, and soon to be Xaden too, we'll learn, will see that progression as a foregone conclusion, which leads her to come face to face with this reality. This is why she has to find a cure. But as the Irids, her last hope, just told her, there is no cure. Everything Violet has done for the past four months has been in service of this goal. And no matter how much Riddick and the others want her to see it, she's not going to give up. Quote, I don't have all the answers, Riddick. I just know that I have to find them, whether they're in a forgotten book or some dark wielder's head. Because I've lost Liam and now Trager and my mother to this war. And I'm not giving up on the man I love first in some dark wielder's head. Literally. That is what Theophany teases with her in her note at the end of this chapter stretch. Secondly, I fully understand why Violet is so steadfast in this cure. She did lose Liam. She lost her mother. We sure bet she's lost her father in this war, but she doesn't know it yet. She doesn't want to lose the person who she is closest to, that she loves the most. If she she has any control over it. Is it denial at times at how bad things are or how dangerous they could be? Yes, absolutely. She has to think about the best case scenarios and how Zayden hasn't ever tried to hurt her. Because if she thought about how far he could go, she might not have the fight within her that she needs. And at the end of the day, if they lose Zaden to being a Venin. This war is over because no one is capable of stopping him him except her, when he's at full power. But she would have to have enough training. And quite frankly, she won't stop him. Quote, I could no more hurt him than he could hurt me. But what about those others who know about Zaden's state?
- [143:32]
Lexi
The exclusive club of these people, including Garak, Bodhi, Imogen, and Violet, they are all Zaden's people. In other words, as far as Riddick is concerned, they are looking out for Zaden's well being first and foremost. Which kind of like Violet. Violet. And soon enough, Zaden will argue isn't entirely true. Garak is literally on this mission because it'll be up to him to stop Zaden if he goes out of control. Because Violet won't have it in her to say kill him if needed. But the sentiment is the same. These are Zane's people, who will always give him the benefit of the doubt, who are focused on finding a cure, who, no matter what, will find it difficult to look reality in the face about the situation. Someone who wholeheartedly has Violet's best interest as number one priority, full stop. Needs to stand up for her and needs to help her stand up for herself. She needs someone close to her who she trusts outside of Zaden's circle to pull her out of denial and come to terms with the hard truth. And that's where Riddick comes in and why he's so mad. She hasn't trusted him yet. She didn't tell Riddick or others close to her because she was protecting Zaden. And in doing so, she was being reckless with with her own safety. So Riddick makes her do something none of the others have forced her to do. Violet has to draw a line in the sand for when she will not be able to defend Zaden anymore. A million points to Riddick for making Violet do this. As hard as it is for her to even have to think about boundaries. And as much as all of us love Zaden, sometimes it's not about whether you love someone. But they are too dangerous. And you still have to let them go. Otherwise, if Violet can't draw a battle boundary, then they'll all lose her as well as Zaden. And Riddick is telling her here and now he will not let that happen. He will not put Zaden in front of Violet. And if she isn't willing to compromise with him on this and see that a boundary needs to be set, he's going straight to Mira with This information, Riddick and his emotional maturity just, wow, this is why I freaking love characters like him and Cassian from the Acotar series so much. They are jokesters and love to laugh and have fun, but they are still incredibly emotionally intelligent, loyal, and three dimensional, and I love them so much. With the threat of Telimir looming over her, Violet finally relents. Fine. Hypothetically, he would have to kill another writer without cause or hurt civilians, hurt my friends, my dragons, hurt me. If he hurts me, then he's not him anymore. Good job, Violet. That's a good line to draw, because so far, every time he has pulled from the source, like Nicole was saying, it has been to save others. It's how she distinguishes him from the other Venin. He's not like them because he sacrificed himself for the greater good and for her. So if Slash, when that does go away, she'll have to face the truth that he is no longer a Venin on their side.
- [146:08]
Nicole
And also because this is a line that's so unfathomable for him to ever cross. So if she draws a line that she believes will never come to pass, she might not ever have to deal with this. Earlier, when they landed in Zelna, Zayn, Aiden confronted her, making her promise that she will never step in when he's on the ice because he might hurt her when he's not him. And she doubles down saying, quote, you won't hurt me. Even when you wanted to kill me last year, you never hurt me. Even when you lacked your emotions, you're still you. I would argue that she literally said in her inner monologue that he's not him because he looks like a stranger, but that's neither here nor there. They know knows that this is not out of the question because there were times when he is not himself. He's literally a stranger dressed up as the man she loves.
- [146:52]
Lexi
Well, and then he'll even say to Riddick. He'll correct Riddick and say, when. When I turn versus the. If he's like, I am not in denial of what is going to happen.
- [147:02]
Nicole
Yes, exactly. And I'm just gonna say this once here and then probably a lot at the end of this deep dive, I absolutely think that this is what happened. I don't think he physically hurt her by any means, but I think he emotionally hurt her by channeling and turning and telling her that he needs to leave. So, because that was so painful, and it. Because it was the crossing of the line, that's one of the reasons she had Imogen Wipe her memories. With a clear boundary line in place For Violet, the 2/2 years start to head back to camp. That is until they come face to face with a blank faced Zaden. Terms and conditions Round two Riddick will keep his silence if and only if if Violet tells Re Sawyer and Jinia for the second time. Go Riddick. Jinia needs to know exactly what she is researching in case she comes across a way to slow progression. And while he knows Violet can handle herself, extra eyes on her from people who are fully committed to her safety first over Xaden's, especially when Violet's rose colored glasses are a little too strong. It's not a bad idea, but it goes beyond Violet's sometime denial. We learned in Fourth Way that if Violet dies, then Taran dies, Sigale dies because mates cannot survive without the other, and then because a dragon without a rider is a tragedy, a rider without their dragon is dead, Sigale dies, Zayn would die as a result. This is all going off of we're going to ignore the fact that Zaden could most possibly survive if Sigail did die because if their dragon dies and then they pull from the source enough to keep to supplement that energy source again, we're just going to ignore that right now. If Xaden progresses and others, maybe someone in leadership learns about Xaden, he has to be killed. And killing Violet is the fastest way to kill Xaden through that chain I just mentioned. So Riddick, Sawyer and RI will be there to protect Violet should that happen again. Put Riddick's got good points here. Violet's safety is going to be majorly threatened next book. So while Violet might be horrified and immediately want to shut down this idea because the more people who know, the worse in her mind. Who knows after all how they might react and they might want to kill Satan before he becomes too powerful. Meaning her second squad might want to kill him, much like Mira will want to do when she learns. Xaden, however, does not blink an eye before agreeing to these two terms because Violet's safety is more important to him than people knowing. Wow, he's come so far since the you can tell no one days of Iron Flame.
- [149:36]
Lexi
After Riddick leaves, the truth of the mission failing because Zaden is Venom becomes abundantly clear. Most of the Irids may not have wanted anything to do with them, but they still had the attention of two before Xaden showed up. And this reality is hitting Xaden hard. If it was anyone besides him who walked up to all of them on the aisle. They could be taking Andarne to see the rest of Ardenn, or they may be flying back to Orisha and lighting the Wardstone to protect Zayden's people. Zaden has already known that being Venon would be a major problem for him, being Duke of Tirandorn, responsible for his province. But this is a whole other level of missing out on their biggest opportunity. Simply because of his presence, his existence as a Venon, and despite Violet's reassurance that the quick judgment that the Iritz passed wasn't fair and that that this doesn't change a single thing about the way she loves him. Zaden needs to channel his inner Jon Snow and do some brooding. He feels tainted and needs some distance even from Violet, because so far he has been the most realistic about his condition as a Venon, and now he's more aware than ever of the damage simply existing and coming on the mission has been they're going back to Misgaeth without the Irids because of him, and for a problem solver like Zaden, that's a tough pill to swallow. Our sorrowful and defeated Quest squad makes their way back to Buzgaeth, choosing a route that minimizes their chances of encountering Venon. And while Violet is on hyper alert for Venon and especially Theophany, because we can't forget she's still hunting Violet, they make it back to the wards without even running into a patrol of Wyvern. As we will soon find out. Theophany will have seen them fly over Pavis, but she's playing the long game and chooses to send Violet a note instead of attack them for now.
- [151:10]
Nicole
For now's doing a lot of work there. From this abandoned isle, it would be faster for them to fly north northeast for two days straight. And then they'd hit the cliffs of Dralor. Well, some of the dragons could do that, only the larger ones like Terne, Sigail and maybe Molvik. However, there's no way in hell the Griffons would make it, so they return instead via isle hopping. All right friends, get ready for our biggest travel math to date. First and foremost, this took me longer than I would like to admit to figure out the math to this. Remember, they are going back through the isles. So from this uninhabited isle to Zelna it is an 18 hour flight. Then from Zelna to Hidotis it is about a 16 hour flight. Then from Hedotis to Umbriel, 13 hours. Umbriel to Devarelli is 10 hours. Oh okay, that's part one. It's done. Then they fly from Devarelly to in between Cordon and Dreyfus, which my math comes out to 24 hours in the saddle. Then from there, in between, zone, zone, they fly over Pavis to just outside the wards so that they don't get caught within the Varian borders and therefore can be court martialed, which the path of least resistance has them around Resin. So just outside of athene, that's a 12 hour flight.
- [152:30]
Lexi
Would you get mad at me if I asked you to calculate the wind as well? Because there's like the whole headwinds and everything that they were complaining about.
- [152:39]
Nicole
I'm sorry, yes, I would. Because you, you know what? 13.1 miles per hour is slower. That is a school zone as far as I'm concerned. There is no way I'm making them go any slower than that because or else I will be smited by Tiernanock himself.
- [152:56]
Lexi
I just needed to ask about that.
- [153:00]
Nicole
So, Lexi, from Resin to Bestgaeth it is roughly 11 hours. This puts their total flying time for 104 hours going at 31.8 miles per hour. We'll never forgive Rebecca Yarrows for making it this slow. I'm so mad. She'll be like, I had no idea.
- [153:22]
Lexi
That it was like that.
- [153:23]
Nicole
Like, what did you do? That is a total. This 104 hours going at 31.8 mph is a total of 3307.2 miles miles or 5322.42 kilometers. Or just short the distance from New York to London, which takes a standard aircraft about 7 hours and 12 minutes. But just to make the Dragons feel better, it takes a ship seven days to make it from New York to London, which is 168hours. So congratulations Dragon, you're faster than a cruise ship. In 2025, three and a half weeks.
- [154:07]
Lexi
From the day they left, our beloved Quest Squad returns to Bisgaeth. But there's no sense of victory. They may have secured 40,000 troops for this army. However, it was at the cost of Trager's death. And yes, they found the Irids, or rather the Irids found them. But they refused to help in any way. This overwhelming failure that Violet feels makes me just want to hug our gal. They, and Violet in particular, has already suffered immense loss. And this war feels like one step forward, two steps back. Time and time again recall back to how they left for this mission. It was with a renewed sense of hope. And now that has been Crushed. And it is felt among the whole group, they were dedicated to making a difference and were willing to risk disobeying direct orders to do so. But now they have this fractured trust in themselves and their ability to make difference and win this war. This mission we've been working toward, all book has, for the most part, failed. Which means it's time to come up with a new plan. Except new plans are running out as they keep hitting dead ends.
- [155:06]
Nicole
The complete douchebag Atos hands a missive to Violet, who balks at the sight of her handwriting. Her bestie, Theophany is back. Damn, I missed her quote. Violet, pilot, I do hope you had a marvelous time on your journey. Though your riot looked a little haggard when you flew over Pavis. I do wonder why you went to so much effort when I have the one thing you seek above all else. Do you enjoy your time you have with your friends until our next rendezvous? Don't worry, I'm making all the arrangements. I missed her.
- [155:42]
Lexi
Oh, terrifying. To get that, like, right after returning home. And this was like.
- [155:47]
Nicole
Well, all that careful maneuvering on their way back, not encountering a single horde of wyvern. It wasn't because Zanal was with them. It was Theophany fucking with them. She was luring them into a sense of false safety, knowing that the real battle is about to happen in a few weeks, AKA her arrangements. Yeah, this would be terrifying to read. Feeling like Theophany is all knowing all, always one step ahead of you. It does a really good job at unnerving our crew. But then we get the humdinger quote. I do wonder why you went to so much effort when I have the one thing you seek above all else. The more I think on this, I think you're right, Lex, from a few episodes ago. She might know the cure to Venom, but she's fucking dead at the end of this book. I'm furious.
- [156:36]
Lexi
So this goes back to potentially the connection with Duke, Dune and Loial and the Souls and Changing of the souls and all of that. Now we also have to wonder, is Theophany just saying that she has all of this with Violet because she knows that that would lure her in now, it has not worked and it will not work.
- [156:57]
Nicole
I could see Theophany lying, but I think it's just so much better storytelling if she's not and she died with the knowledge. Yep, I agree. I also want ask, why the fuck does ATOS have a letter from Theophany? Like, this is suspicious, right? Right?
- [157:14]
Lexi
Yeah, yeah, it is a little Suspicious? How does he.
- [157:17]
Nicole
How does he have a text message just waiting for, like, why, why, why is he the middleman?
- [157:24]
Lexi
Theophany had it sent to Basgaeth and he pretty much handles all of Violet's mail because he is Daddy Atos, and so he just naturally got ahold of it.
- [157:34]
Nicole
I think there's more to it than.
- [157:35]
Lexi
That, but I know you think there's more to it. Of course, Cole. To wrangle control of their return after disobeying orders and assert his authority again, Daddy Atos has news that he's just dragging out. Kat is one step closer to the Paramish throne. Well, shit, that means one of three possible people have died. And two of those people are her uncle, Viscount Dakaris, and her beloved older sister, Serena. And of course, GF Triple D knows that he's withholding information that holds Holds Cat's entire existence in the balance. In other words, is her sister alive? Eventually he shares that, yes, she's fine. Okay, well, what about her uncle? Oh, yeah, he's fine too. But Queen Maria is dead and Sinva, where the queen recited in Poor Emil, has fallen to the dark wielders, as Nicole said in Battle Brief. Dun dun dun.
- [158:24]
Nicole
Which we will get to that next episode because we have to have something to talk about next episode.
- [158:29]
Lexi
As we wrap up this signet power segment of the episode, let's move to the power of precognition by turning our full attention to other important foreshadowing moments for the rest of this book, as well as more speculations for books four and five. I'll kick it off here for us. The whole conversation about leadership between Xaden and Violet, how he insists she has to be better than him because there's only her. I'm curious, where does Bode fit in with all of this? As Xaden's heir, the school teacher voice.
- [158:56]
Nicole
Irid Scott at how Violet quote, feels a dagger is sufficient in hurting the Irids. Well, we will learn later with Berwyn that an alloy hilted dagger can kill a dragon. But I wonder if it can kill an Irid or not. Alas, we do not know. Leothen mentions how there are hundreds of Irids. Are we ever gonna see them? I do think so. But are we going to see them because they all fly into battle on the continent? Or because we finally go to the den on their secret isle? Or both?
- [159:30]
Lexi
That's a good question. I'm gonna say both. Maybe.
- [159:32]
Nicole
Yeah.
- [159:33]
Lexi
I don't know. One of the female Irides says that firing the Orishan Wardstone is not a mutual problem. However, as we know, Leothan will end up flying to Orisha to breathe on the Wardstone and activate the wards because this interaction and quick judgment won't sit right with him.
- [159:49]
Nicole
We get the line quote. Mira's brows furrows when no one answers and her gaze flickers between the four of us before settling on me with an intense once over that ends with her studying my eyes. We know that she has been on watch for Violet potentially turning venom, and I think the studying my eyes is her worried that Violet turned.
- [160:10]
Lexi
It's like the very first thing that she's checking every time she's away from her sister because she still has Grandmama Neon Farah's words very much in her mind about how her sister Violet was not able to be fully dedicated because of the prophecy, so to speak, that she might turn Venom. So Meera is literally terrified that her sister is going to turn venom at any time. Zaden says that Violet owns his soul, which we've referenced a whole lot and will continue to talk about. There's a lot of speculation that by him metaphorically giving his soul to Violet, it can circle back to helping violence the cure for him. As Zayden turns more and more Venin, he loses more and more of his soul. So with Violet owning his soul, is she part of the cure to him getting his soul back and no longer being Venin? And how does this all relate to what the Irides were saying about how once when you lose your soul, it is dead, you cannot get it back?
- [161:00]
Nicole
Riddick wonders how long until Xaden can deny the call of his sage? Approximately 20 chapters is the answer, because by the end of this book, Zaden will be asam and no longer able to deny that call.
- [161:12]
Lexi
Continuing on with the Reddit conversation, I mean, honestly, this entire conversation is foreshadowing. But another line that really jumps out at me is when Violet says he'd have to kill another writer without cause or hurt civilians. At the end of this book, four riders and their dragons plus three elders will be dead. And there's a lot of speculation that Zaden is to blame for this. We don't know know exactly what happened, but I think Xaden was maybe somehow involved. So I wonder if this part about without cause is a clue. Could Violet have convinced herself in the moment that he had cause? Basically, what happened in those 12 hours?
- [161:47]
Nicole
Oh, isn't that the question? We have donned our signet. So now let's tap into our mind of a Scribe and examine the meaning of key epigraphs from this stretch of chapters, starting with chapter 38. Quote. To live amongst the Zelni, you must prepare to accept luck as your guide and chaos as your standard. This is from Isle of Zena by Major Asher Sorengail.
- [162:11]
Lexi
This is the third and final book that we know of out of Papa Sorgel's six tomes he left with Nero. Based on his rank, this is also the last book of the three that he published. He first published his guide to Umbriel as second lieutenant soon after he graduated from Biscayth and before he married Lilith. Then he published his guide on Hedotis when he was captain and recently married, though we can assume he was unmarried while actually on the Isle. Now, with this guide to Zelna, we know he was a major when he published it, but I'm inclined to think he did most of his travels and gathering research before he and Lilith married, partly because of how Ferris called him Asher Daxton. If we look at Lilith's journal entries as epigraphs, one of them is, asher returned today. Gods help us if anyone finds out. I'm not sure I'll ever forgive him for what he's done to her. This is from the journal of Captain Lilith Sorengale. Which means Lilith was a captain when Violet was 2 years old and Papa Sorrengail took her to Umbriel to be dedicated. I don't feel like he would gain higher rank a lot faster than her based on her rise to becoming general. So I think this guide to Zelna was published after Violet's partial dedication and after he was promoted to major.
- [163:19]
Nicole
Ooh, I Love that. Chapter 41. Quote, conscription rates are hereby doubled for each province until further notice. This is From Public Notice 634.23. Transcribed by Percival Fitzgibbons.
- [163:34]
Lexi
First of all, I'm assuming Percival Fitzgibbons is Captain Fitzgibbons, who we know is a scribe at Misguyff, and he's the one who reads the death roll for the Writer's Squadron every morning.
- [163:43]
Nicole
I also think this especially because this is Public Notice 63 4.23. And we know the first three numbers of any public notice denote the year, which it is currently 634 in our story.
- [163:56]
Lexi
Well, I do think that the numbers after the decimal point are probably just numerical. With this is the 23rd public notice. Maybe the three represents the month, because we know that this did come out in March and 2. So it's like European dates. So it is showing March 2 is what, when this public notice went out. This also gives us insight into what's been happening in Navarre while Quest Squad was away. It's a time of war. People are dying in battle, which means they need more bodies. I mean, more conscripts. Conscription is a draft. And now with double the number of conscripts, they'll get more 20 year olds beginning their training to prepare for this active war.
- [164:33]
Nicole
Yeah, I'm going to assume we're going to see some major repercussions from this announcement next book. Especially considering that later Zaden will mention how there's a lot of un rest in Tyrandor. And he will later deny this announcement and basically say, fuck you. In a missive to General Sorengale by Lieutenant Colonel Alyssa Trevant from Back and Forth Wing, Alyssa mentions how, quote, protests regarding conscription laws are growing within the province of Tirandor. I mean, even though Zaden said fuck you to this, I think we're gonna have some bad repercussions from this with unrest in other provinces. Textbook, chapter 42. Quote. While the enemy's advance through Krovla makes it impossible to station a full riot at Suniva, we offer you four Dragons and their riders. In the spirit of our alliance, you may expect a shipment of our most valuable resource weaponry to be used at your discretion. This is official correspondence from General Augustine Melgren to Queen Mariah Rip.
- [165:31]
Lexi
We'll dive more into this attack on Sineva next episode when it's dissected in Battle Brief because it's one of the only big things that happens in next week's episode. But the fair scene.
- [165:40]
Nicole
Excuse you. Excuse me. Excuse me.
- [165:42]
Lexi
You are correct. Chapter 49. But a few important things to note here. The Venin will preemptively be alerted to this large shipment of weapons. And it is why Sineva is the target. The Venin are after these alloy hilted daggers and take them before they can be distributed to the rest of the kingdom. We can guess that Panchak is the one who passes this information to the Venin. But I'm just going to point out who this correspondence is from. General Melgren. Of course, Panchik would still be in the know, but I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't highlight that about Melgrin, even though I'm personally convinced this was Panchak's doing. Especially with Coda speaking through Melgren as we were talking about earlier. And the second thing of note for now from this epigraph is that one rider and two dragons will make it out alive. One of the four dragons and riders mentioned here to protect the queen.
- [166:26]
Nicole
And last but not least, least chapter 43, quote, if possible, Hunt the enemy during the day. Their markings are easily hidden by the shadows of night that it would not surprise me to find. They walk among us. This is from a compendium by Captain Drake Cordella, the Nightwing Drift. Again, more hints that they walk among us. But what's most interesting to me is the timing of this epigraph. Yes, this is when Riddick and Violet are talking, so of course they walk among us. It's Zaden yada yada. But this is also the chapter where they go back to Masgaith and who's one of the first people they see other than Ri, who is not a venom. I will die on that hill. They see Daddy fucking Atos. I absolutely think that this is foreshadowing for Daddy Atos being among the many who are walking among them. Now let us step into the archives, where each episode Lexi educates us all on a world building topic to help us better understand this world and especially the magical dragons within it.
- [167:26]
Lexi
Today's Archives topic is the Irids. Irid, short for Iridescent, is the name of the previously unknown Seventh Den of dragons. They do not reside on the continent, aside from our beloved Andarna, and hundreds of them live on an isle unoccupied by humans. Irids are characterized by their ability to shift their scale color to completely blend into their surroundings, and they can choose which color they want to be, including like the resting color in Andarna's case, she chose black, which appeared to offend the other Irids. This is probably because black dragons are known to be battle dragons, which goes against everything the Irids stand for. Their ability to shift colors like a chameleon gives them a major advantage in stealth because they can become seemingly invisible. Irids have also chosen not to pick a tail like we've come to know other dragons on the continent do. Irids stay feathertails, which makes sense because they are packed pacifists. They hold peace in the highest regard and do not want to be involved in war. The only exception is Andarna, whose egg was left behind as a test when the Irids abandoned the continent. A large majority of this test was for the humans to measure their growth and ability to choose tranquility and harmony with all living things. The Irids had hoped that Andarna would return to the Seventh Den, informing them that the humans had evolved, that they had blossomed under the Wardstones and no longer used magic as a weapon. But based on what they find out from Andarna and Violet, they do not believe society has learned their lesson. They believe that the signet bond between dragon and rider are used as a weaponization of magic. And since Violet and subsequently Andarna failed their test, Andarna is not worthy of being an Irid, which means she does not get entrance to their Isle or instructions in their ways, stating she is an Irid in scale and name only. Of the six IRIDs we've met on the Isle, they all rival Sigail in size. So not quite the size of Tern, the second largest dragon on the continent in it, but far above the average dragon size. Turns out Irides are just as arrogant as the other dragon dens. Though they are rudely polite and will even apologize to another dragon, they do not bond with humans and choose not to live with them, believing that the signets that the dragons gave their riders are weapons and extremely dangerous. Especially both of Violet's signets. IR its believe that if they do nothing to help the continent now, that the Venin will eventually starve from lack of magic and will either die die off, allowing the land to regenerate, or the Venom will have to confront the abominations they've become and change. Speaking of magic, Irides don't just have magic, they are magic. According to Andarna, magic feels different when she changes colors, but we don't yet understand how this affects her abilities. We do learn from Andarna's experience that Irides are able to roast at least a some Venin when she changes color, in this case to black. But since this has only happened once, when Andarna roasted the venom back an iron flame, we don't know any more details about this yet. Hopefully IRS are also able to communicate directly into a human's mind. This happens when a slide whistle sound goes off in the person's head, pitching from low to painfully high in less than a heartbeat. This slide whistle sound also triggers a venom's eyes to shine bright red, which exposes them to whoever is around. The Ophani calls Andarna, or more specifically the Irides, a prize. We can assume this is due to the sheer amount and type of magic they possess and why the Venom want one so badly. But again, that is just our assumption there. Talking about bonds for Irids. Since Irids are magic, they can bend, shape and even break bonds as they see fit. An example of this is shielding bonds between a rider and their own Dragon Violet makes the comparison that this feeling is oddly similar to the effects of the RSC serum. Only an Irid is able to become the second bonded dragon to a rider, as humans should only be capable of bonding to one single dragon. And if that rider has active second bond like Violet, once the Irid breaks the bond, the rider can continue living because the other dragon will sustain their life. But it is still an extremely painful process, both physically and emotionally. In the process of severing the bond, there is a shrieking whistle sound followed by sudden silence. When reaching for the bond, it'll feel like being blocked by a wall before ultimately turning into nothing. During the war, the seventh Dragon Den helped light the Besgaeth Wardstone, but left shortly afterward because they abhorred society's violent ways. When mentioning the wards, the Irids do say Ward Stones, plural, like we were discussing earlier. This could imply that at one point more than just the best Gaeth Wardstone was lit. But we do not know that until Andarna. No Irid has been seen on the continent since the Great War. Only the Dragon Elders, including Kota of the Black Dragon Den, have known that Andarna is of the seventh dragon breed. It is that much of a secret among even the dragons. Irid dragon shells are hard metallic, and while the exact size is unknown, the chunks Violet had could hold a medium sized dog. Its shades of color graduate from the darkest onyx on bottom to the brightest silvers on top, like the COVID of this book, with each ring of hardened scales nestled within the next, yet never separate, creating a smooth outer layer with no ridges that only cracks. When the hatchling is ready to round out this archive segment on Irids, let's talk about the very few Irids that we know of. Andarna, of course. And then of the six Irids on the aisles, we only learn two names. Jason, who is one of the females. And then we have Leothen, or who, as I called for the longest time, Leonard, he is a distant relative of Andarna's from the same line because they have the same spiral patterns on their horns. And that, friends, is what we know so far about the Irides, which I'm sure this will definitely need a refresher. Part 2 Part 3 as we continue.
- [172:41]
Nicole
With this Earth series, let's round out this episode with Taking Flight with our favorite moments. This is a small thing, but I love that Violet Sunshield rune is still carrying power, but I also wonder if it's still holding power because she's connected to Irid magic. Or because she's the one channeling power into it unknowingly. Like, kind of how mage lights work, where it's like the excess burn off magic from. From people is how they are powered. Or because some of the runes have unlimited or much deeper power than others on the continent. I want to know more about.
- [173:11]
Lexi
I never thought of it that way. I think it goes back to what the runes are tempered into. And maybe these quartz have more magic in them than, say, a piece of wood. But then Riddick does use a sound shield rune here too. But again, we don't know if that, like, can be activated multiple times or if he's just been holding onto it for that one activation. We don't know yet.
- [173:30]
Nicole
Riddick mentions that they are the equivalent of the Circus coming into town. When Lexi and I were getting ready for the midnight release party of Onyx Storm, we were listening to Rebecca Yarros Onyx Storm playlist that she dropped, like, the day or two days before the book released. And we were trying to guess what each song meant, and we were wildly off. But I remember so vividly, like, you were in the bathroom curling your hair. I think I was outside, like, making tea or something, and Circus by Britney Spears came on, and we both, like, dropped everything that we were doing and just looked at each other, and we were so confused. And then we read this section of the book and we were like, oh. I also find it so funny that the second Zaden and Sigail get their bond back, she just starts yelling at him over everything he's done wrong the past few weeks. Like, this surprises me. 0% retweet.
- [174:16]
Lexi
It was like, of course she did. Of course. When Violet and Zadie get their bond back, they start their usual silent conversations in front of everyone else. And I love how Riddick is like, they're back to doing whatever it is that they do when they ignore everyone around them and pretend they're the only people in existence. This does bring up a question we've asked before on the podcast. Do other people know about their bond? I feel like yes, but I can't remember if it's ever outright stated.
- [174:41]
Nicole
It's never outright stated. I'm assuming they've just put two and two together. But also you'd think that they'd be like, so can you, like, talk to him in your head? Or whatever. But they're just kind of accepting of it, I think. Yeah.
- [174:52]
Lexi
Like, there was one point in Iron Flame when Cat was like, what are they doing? They're like, oh, they're silent arguing with each other, but nobody ever mentions how it is in like an actual bond.
- [175:01]
Nicole
I never knew I needed Garak saying honey bear to Xaden. But what I would give for just an all Xaden and Garak book. Like, if we ever get a full book from Zaden's POV where it's just all Sigail and Garak. Oh my God, I would be so happy. I have to highlight this because it is one of my favorite moments in the entire book. So I'm going beat by fucking beat through it. Aotrim sprints towards the water with his wings tucked in tight. Like, I just see this giant dragon, like. And then he stops about 10ft from Riddick. He shoves his snout into the water, which creates a wave that goes up to Riddick's shins. But then Aotrim lifts his head and goes and sprays water through his teeth, completely soaking Riddick. And it turns out that Riddick and Iotrom have been playing a who can prank who game for who knows how long. I'm assuming just in my head canon. It's been since first year. Like, that has been canon throughout this entire book series. And it turns out that Riddick won the last round by getting itching powder and dousing it between Iotrom scales during flight maneuvers. Like, that's kind of a dick move. I'm not gonna lie.
- [176:09]
Lexi
I also just love how I trim is 22 years old too, so it's like, these two are just hilarious. I love them. They're gross.
- [176:18]
Nicole
Yes. They're such frat boys. I love it so much.
- [176:21]
Lexi
I love how the humans converse with each other so the Irides can't hear them by using sign language. It's such a smart workaround for them to be able to communicate openly with each other without the dragons knowing what they're saying. We didn't address this while analyzing the ear conversation because it was just so dense, but it is absolutely worth calling out. I love how much Violet stands up for and Andarna when our poor dragon is being shit on by her family she was so excited to see Violet yells at them that she is not A and Violet takes away the blame that was placed on Andara. Violet's first priority here is making sure Andarna still feels loved and supported as all of our hearts break for our favorite teenage dragon.
- [176:57]
Nicole
Rounding this part out, Riddick making things so awkward by telling Zaden, hey, you know that strike, it wasn't us like, doing the deed. You know, the thing that normally makes her strike when she's with you and Zayden, Satan's iconic retort quote. Well aware. First, because I trust Violet, and second, he glances at Riddick in a dismissive once over. It wasn't a big enough strike. Oh my God.
- [177:21]
Lexi
We can always count on Riddick to add humor to these serious conversations. Like when Zadian insists to kill the guy he'll become Riddick is like, is that noble? Is that twisted? I can't decide. You two have some serious issues. Is it bad that I feel like Zaden and Violet have one of the healthier relations relationships we've seen in fantasy? Like, what does that say about what I read? Thank you so much friends for listening to today's episode 8 of our Onyx Storm Deep Dive.
- [177:46]
Nicole
We will see you again next Monday for episode nine where we are covering chapters 44 through 49. Chair scene. Chair scene. Yes, I will be going through it beat by beat. I'm so excited. Next book series we are covering is the Kindred's Curse Saga by Pen Kohl. Get excited for next episode. It's the last, last sex scene we're gonna have for a while on the show. Starting with book one, Spark of the Everflame in May 2025. Link is in the show Notes to get the series, we'd love to give.
- [178:13]
Lexi
The biggest warm welcome, welcome, welcome to our newest Iron Squad members.
- [178:17]
Nicole
Thank you so much for joining Simone S, Sam W. Ritu I, Amanda Lynn, Stephanie W, Manda D, Gina, Margaret, Stephanie S, Catherine J and Erica S. Welcome, welcome, welcome.
- [178:31]
Lexi
Thank you for supporting the show. As Iron Squad members, we appreciate you. And if you're like, hey, I want my name shouted out on the podcast and to be showered with all the love and attention too, please be sure to join the Fantasy fan club@fantasyfangirls.com fanclub. The link is also in the show notes.
- [178:46]
Nicole
Thank you as always to our resident scribe Curator AKA our Content researcher Brooke. She worked overtime this episode. And of course our Executive Producer AKA our sanity manager Hayden. We love you both.
- [179:00]
Lexi
We are very active on social media so please be sure to follow us on Instagram and slash or TikTok at Fantasy Fangirlspod.
- [179:07]
Nicole
Also, while you're hitting buttons, don't forget to press that five star button and rate and review the show. Please don't just do this for the show. Please do it for any show podcast that you listen to. It is so helpful for your favorite podcasters out there. And last but not least, do not forget to share this episode with your fellow Onyx Storm friends. Listen, if you spiraled about what the orange tabby symbolism could possibly be with that group chat of yours, I did all the work for you. So there you go. You can send this episode to that group chat.
- [179:38]
Lexi
Thank you so much. We will see you next week.
- [179:40]
Nicole
Bye Bye Bye.
- [179:42]
Lexi
Wait. I wasn't ready. Okay, now I'm ready. No, I'm not. For both war and love, change souls irrevocably. For both war and love, change souls irrevocably. For both war and love change souls irrevocably. Irreva. Okay. Change souls irrevocably. You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job posts seen on other job posts. With Indeed sponsored Jobs, your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Don't wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed and listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility at indeed.comart just go to indeed.comarts right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.